Brussels: After a boat carrying migrants off the coast of Greece sank last month, killing hundreds of people, the EU watchdog on Wednesday announced an investigation into Frontex, the organisation responsible for border patrol within the EU.

Following the drowning of hundreds of people off the coast of Greece on June 14, the investigation is "intended to clarify Frontex's role in search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean sea," according to ombudsman Emily O'Reilly.

O'Reilly took the initiative to start the independent investigation by the European Union watchdog, which looks into alleged instances of poor administration by EU bodies.

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It adds to two investigations that Greece claims to have launched: one into the criminal activity of alleged smugglers it accuses of being responsible for the tragedy, and another into the performance of its coast guard.

Up to 750 people were aboard the overcrowded fishing trawler that capsized as they attempted to cross the Mediterranean to enter Europe illegally from Libya.

According to Greek statistics that EU commissioner Ylva Johansson relayed to the European Parliament in early July, about 100 of them were saved, but it is believed that about 600 of them drowned.

In his remarks, O'Reilly mentioned "the deaths of at least 500 people."

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In that hearing, EU lawmakers expressed doubt about the efficacy of the Greek investigations into the sinking. They demanded an open and impartial investigation.

Survivors' claims that the Greek coast guard tied a rope to the drifting boat and then turned the engine off, causing it to capsize, have already been rejected by Athens.
According to O'Reilly, the investigation conducted by her office and the Greek Ombudsman's office would be coordinated.

It will ask for a "wide range" of Frontex documents, including the internal Serious Incident Report and those pertaining to other incidents in the Mediterranean, regarding the sinking.

The use of cameras on boats during joint operations will be regulated in one area.

That might reveal why cutting-edge cameras on a Greek coast guard ship close to the sinking migrant boat were turned off at the time.

The investigation would also look into the role that ships operated by nonprofit organisations play in search and rescue operations, as well as how Frontex and national authorities in EU member states exchange search and rescue information.

In the same European Parliament hearing on July 6 as Johansson, Frontex chief Hans Leijtens stated that on the night of the sinking, "we offered to help, but there was no response from Greek authorities."

Leijtens welcomed the EU investigation in a social media post he published on Wednesday, adding that he "will cooperate in full transparency."

A tragedy of this magnitude necessitates that everyone involved consider their roles and make it clear to the public who is responsible for these deaths, according to O'Reilly.

She stated that the investigation conducted by her office would "try to piece together the events that led to the boat capsize."

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The investigation will consider how well the EU upholds fundamental rights in regard to migration "and does not lose sight of the human suffering that compels people to seek a better life beyond their home countries," she said.

Future investigations into the EU's immigration and border policies, including one into a deal made with Tunisia to reduce migrant departures from its shores, were planned, according to O'Reilly.