EU probing own border agency's role in sinking of migrant ship

The European Union's rights watchdog has launched an investigation into whether the bloc's border agency, Frontex, fulfilled its rescue duties after hundreds of migrants drowned off the coast of Greece last month when their boat capsized.

The sinking of the Adriana on June 14 was Europe's deadliest shipwreck in many years, and Frontex has been accused of failing to respond to distress calls from the vessel, and of not providing adequate search and rescue assistance.

European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly, whose office investigates maladministration, said the probe would seek to clarify how the events unfolded, focusing on Frontex's cooperation with Greek authorities, as well as reports of the other recent incidents involving considerable loss of life in the Mediterranean, reported Reuters news agency.

The ombudsman's office said in a news release on Tuesday the investigation will be coordinated with that of Greek Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis, who has the power to look into how Greek authorities dealt with the Adriana boat.

"While the Greek authorities' role is being investigated at the national level, Frontex's role in search and rescue operation also needs to be clarified," said O'Reilly.

"It has been reported that in this instance Frontex alerted the Greek authorities to the ship's presence and offered assistance but it is not clear what else it could or should have done.

"A tragedy of this magnitude requires all those involved to reflect on their responsibilities and to be clear to the public who is accountable for these deaths. My office will focus on the role of Frontex as we try to piece together the events that led to the capsizing of the boat and the deaths of at least 500 people."

The ombudsman said that migration to Europe will continue and it is up to the EU to ensure that it acts in a way that maintains fundamental rights and does not lose sight of the human suffering.

In a statement, Frontex said it would cooperate with the investigation. "Frontex sees the rescue of lives at sea as one of its essential roles and provides all the necessary support to national authorities when needed," it said.

The ombudsman's office said the investigation, expected to take several months, will focus on documents detailing Frontex's responsibility to rescue those in distress at sea, including the formal report of the Adriana boat disaster.

Media reports in the aftermath of the tragedy indicated the boat was carrying more than 700 people, including at least 350 Pakistanis, who were attempting to travel to Europe from Libya. A total 104 people were rescued.

Survivors have claimed a doomed attempt by the Greek coast guard to tow the vessel may have caused it to capsize. Some reports said the boat was stalled for hours before the coast guard intervened.