The BBC analyzed the movements of other ships in the area of the Mediterranean where the ship sank. The analysis showed that the fishing boat overloaded with migrants was at sea for at least seven hours before it sank. The boat was not moving. However, the Greek coastguard still claims that the ship was moving during this period. The ship was on its way to Italy. There was no need to salvage the boat at that time. Greek authorities have so far not responded to a BBC inquiry into the sinking. At least 78 people have died in the boat sinking incident. However, the United Nations says that about 500 people are still missing in this incident. The BBC has obtained a computer animation of tracking data from maritime analytics platform Marine Traffic. This marine traffic data shows that the vessel floated for hours in a small, defined area of the Mediterranean Sea. The boat later sank in the same area. This information casts doubt on the Greek authorities' interpretation. Doubts about Greece's commentary The European Union's (EU) border force, Frontex, said it first spotted the vessel around 8am GMT last Tuesday. Later they reported this information to the Greek authorities. Alarm Phone, an organization that helps migrants in peril at sea, said they received a call at 12.17pm GMT on Tuesday. They learned from the call that the ship was in distress at sea. Marine Traffic's animation shows a vessel named Lucky Sailor suddenly turning north in the area around 3pm GMT. The owners of the Lucky Sailor have provided the logbook to the BBC. The Greek Coast Guard instructed the Lucky Sailor to approach the boat carrying the migrants and provide food and water to those on board, the ship's owner confirmed. About half an hour later, at 3:35 a.m. GMT, the Greek Coast Guard helicopter located the vessel. Greek authorities claim the ship was on a scheduled course at the time. But two and a half hours later, at around 6pm GMT, another ship named Faithful Warrior was spotted in the same sea area. They also provided support to the boat. The owner of the Warrior ship asked the BBC to contact the relevant investigators. Captured from the Warrior ship—the video shows aid being delivered to the vessel via a rope. The video did not show the presence of another vessel at the scene. The BBC has scrutinized and analyzed the video footage obtained. The video footage did not show the boat moving. The vessel seen in the video footage matches the still images obtained. However, it is not known when exactly the video was recorded. Greece's initial statement said the country's coastguard was monitoring the vessel from a careful distance. But later they released a 'close-up' picture. But in this picture, the boat seems to be going nowhere. A Greek government spokesman later said members of the coastguard attempted to board the vessel to assess the risk. But the people in the boat removed the rope. They didn't want help.
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