DEMANDS for a criminal prosecution were made yesterday after an inquest opened into the deaths of six Russian sailors off the coast of Wales.

The mariners died when The Swanland sank off the coast of Gwynedd in November 2011. only two of the cargo ship's eight-man crew survived.

RMT union is calling for those responsible to be prosecuted, and for the government to take action to prevent any repetition.

The inquest in Caernarfon opened on Monday.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said a Marine Accident Investigation showed the sinking was “avoidable and tragic” and “should have shamed our own government and the international maritime industry into urgent action. But the practices that led to the events back in 2011 still continue to this day.”

He said the vessel was a “rusting death trap.”

“The seafarers on board never stood a chance. Their lives were lost in the name of profit and greed.”