HELLENIC REPUBLIC

Ministry of Migration & Asylum

The Minister

Courtesy Translation

Friday, December 4, 2020

Our ref: 2996
Ylva Johansson
Commissioner for Home Affairs
European Commissioner
Via email

Dear Ms Johansson, Dear Ylva,

As you will be aware, in the early hours of the 2nd of December 2020, an incident
occurred which resulted in the loss of two lives in the Aegean. This incident is of grave
concern and sorrow to the Government of Greece, but I am of the view that this tragic
loss of life could have been avoided.

Since the incident, we have spent time speaking to stakeholders on the ground. This
has included taking testimonies of the 32 rescued migrants, speaking to the personnel
of the Hellenic Coast Guard, and liaising with third party stakeholders, where possible.
During this process we have learnt:

• On the morning of the 2nd of December at around 05:00 PLS 137 and a
Bulgarian CPV vessel, which were on a planned patrol, were informed by a
Turkish Coast Guard (TUR CG) about the existence of a boat with third-country
nationals being in danger in Greek territorial waters;
• Immediately, this information was shared with the Joint Search and Rescue
Coordination Center (EKSED, Piraeus) and the Port Authority of Mytilene to
provide assistance;
• The Turkish Coast Guard vessel remained close to the situation and through a
loudspeaker informed the other vessels that it was recording the actions of
the Greek & Bulgarian vessels, without any other action as required;
• Thirty-two (32) YTX [15 men, 14 women and 3 children] were rescued by PLS-
137 and the Bulgarian CPV vessel;
• Those rescued disembarked safely in the port of Mytilene while an operation
to locate the missing person was launched under the coordination of EKSED
sailors, helicopters of the Hellenic Air Force, SUPER PUMA of the PA and a
Latvian aircraft.

Τel: +30 2132128410

minister@migration.gov.gr
Thivon 196-198, A.I. Rentis, Greece 18233
 • The above operation was completed with the location and recovery of the
bodies of the two missing women from rocky sea areas of Lesvos.

The said boat started its journey from the coast of Turkey (Ayvalık Area) during the
early morning hours of 2nd December. The passengers did not want to continue their
journey due to the adverse weather conditions and immediately asked for help from
the Turkish Coastguard and while their boat was still in Turkish territorial waters.
According to the migrants’ testimonies, a Turkish Coastguard vessel arrived at the
spot, but instead of offering assistance as requested, created ripples and encouraged
the continuation of the journey, accompanying the boat toward the Greek territorial
waters. After the boat entered Greek territorial waters, the Turkish Coastguard vessel
informed the Greek authorities. It is clear from the facts that we have established that
the Turkish coastguard did not provide the migrants with assistance, which could have
potentially prevented the loss of life. Instead the Turkish vessel encouraged them to
cross the maritime borders of the European Union illegally, even providing escort.

This incident is of grave concern, for two clear reasons.

First, this loss of life was entirely preventable and could have been avoided by the
Turkish authorities had they chosen to intervene when the migrant boat asked for help
inside Turkish waters. I do hope that in your role you will be taking this issue up with
the Turkish authorities. I have raised this issue also with UNHCR. This was an avoidable
situation, and every loss of life is one that should be remembered and learnt from. I
hope that we are able to learn the lessons and that all sides can be encouraged to take
their responsibilities seriously.

Second, we are concerned that these trips are encouraged by smuggler circuits and
sometimes are supported by Non-Governmental Organizations operating in the
region. I would therefore urge you to work with your staff and partners to combat
such networks and discourage any attempt of illegal crossing.

Every attempt to cross the Aegean with unseaworthy boats, without proper safety
measures, driven by people without knowledge of the sea, are putting human lives at
risk. Especially as these people are not trying to escape war zones. All illegal crossings
should be prevented, in line with the EU-Turkey Joint Statement.

All parties should assume their respective responsibilities and discourage any attempt
of illegal crossing.

I look forward to hearing from you and also partnering with you to prevent a situation
like this, and the unnecessary loss of life, from occurring again.

Yours sincerely,

Notis Mitarachi

2
cc:
Ioannis Plakiotakis, Minister of Maritime Affairs & Insular Policy
Mr. George Gerapetritis, Minister of State
Mr. George Koumoutsakos, Alternate Minister of Migration & Asylum
General & Special Secretaries of the Ministry of Migration & Asylum