A TOP human rights official urged Greek authorities yesterday to address claims of negligence over a 2023 boat disaster that killed hundreds of migrants off the coast of southern Greece.

Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner, cited recent findings by Greece’s Ombudsman that maintained coast guard officers failed to prevent one of the Mediterranean’s deadliest migrant shipwrecks.

An estimated 500-750 people were aboard the overcrowded Adriana when it sank while travelling from Libya to Italy in waters off Pylos in southern Greece in June 2023.

Only 104 people survived, while 82 bodies were recovered.

The rest were trapped inside the sinking fishing trawler.

Survivors claim the Greek coast guard failed to respond to initial distress calls before the vessel capsized — an assertion strongly disputed by the government.

Greek Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis found “clear indications” that senior coast guard officials disregarded imminent danger to the migrants.

Mr O’Flaherty’s office said in a report: “The Commissioner, who liaises closely with the Ombudsman, notes his important findings and encourages the authorities to take resolute action to ensure appropriate criminal and disciplinary accountability.”