Judge Elvezia Cordasco of the preliminary hearing court in Crotone sentenced two officers of the finance and border police for the deaths of four migrants resulting from an explosion on their boat. The incident occurred on August 30, 2020, in the sea between Praialonga and Simeri, Calabria.

The two-year suspended sentences were given to Captain Vincenzo B., who was the commander of the operative section of the navy in Crotone for the finance police at the time, and Sergeant Andrea N., the commander of the patrol boat that intervened in the rescue operation.

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No order to proceed for two other Finance Guard officers

The judge accepted the requests from public prosecutor Pasquale Festa for the charges of manslaughter and shipwreck. However, the judge did not order proceedings against the other two finance police officers involved in the incident, Maurizio G. and Giovanni F., who had boarded the migrant dinghy to bring it to the port and stabilize it.

The hearing concerned the explosion of the ship "Heaven," which occurred while the officers were taking it to the port of Crotone. The ship, carrying 20 migrants (another 13 had disembarked with a smaller tender in Sellia Marina), was intercepted at 7:34 am on August 30, 2020, by the Coast Guard of Catanzaro Lido.

From saviors to defendants

The Finance Guard took charge of the operation and decided to bring the boat to the port of Crotone, having two officers board the boat (Maurizio G. and Giovanni F.). While sailing, an explosion occurred, resulting in the deaths of four people.

The two finance officers were also wounded, but despite their injuries, they saved several people who had fallen into the water. Andrea N. dove from the patrol boat to rescue the migrants.

The officers were charged with negligence, imprudence and incompetence. The deaths could have been avoided if the people on board had been transferred to the military boat, according to the judge.

Initially, they were recognized for their rescue efforts, but a few days later, they became murder suspects.

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