NINE Egyptian men went on trial in Greece today, accused of belonging to the smuggling ring responsible for a ship that sank last week, drowning hundreds of refugees.

The nine face charges that include participation in a criminal organisation, manslaughter and causing a shipwreck. The hearing was taking place in the southern city of Kalamata.

More than 500 people are believed to be missing from last week's sinking of the dilapidated fishing trawler, which according to some estimates was carrying up to 750 people from Libya to Italy. So far 81 bodies have been recovered and 104 survivors rescued.

Though the accused were named by survivors as having been involved in sailing the vessel, protests in Greece have accused the coastguard of responsibility for the disaster — with survivor testimony also saying the boat was being towed by a coastguard vessel when it sank.

Coastguard statements on how closely they approached the boat and why they did not assist it have been contradictory.