A video has emerged in which a Turkish fisherman claims he is watching the Greek Coast Guard intentionally sink a dinghy carrying 50 Syrian migrants.
ADVERTISEMENTA group of Turkish fishermen claims the Greek Coast Guard has sunk a dinghy full of migrants which was crossing Turkish waters.
In a video purportedly shot by one of the fishermen, a voice can be heard describing the alleged incident.
“He had what looked like a lance in his hand,” a man on board the Turkish boat says of one of the Greek Coast Guard. “They’ve sunk the boat.”
A boat can be seen approaching the dinghy. The camera then moves unsteadily away from the scene. When it once again focuses on the migrants’ dinghy, the bigger boat has passed by and is sailing away. The dinghy then appears to be sinking.
Turkish fishermen say the boat belonged to the Greek Coast Guard, however the images are too unclear to make out an insignia on the vessel.
Some 50 people, believed to be of Syrian origin, are thought to have been on the inflatable boat, which sank off the Aegean province of Izmir. Reports suggest the fishermen and Turkish Coast Guard rescued those on board and took them ashore to Turkey.
Greek officials have yet to comment on the video.
Full transcription of Turkish fisherman’s commentary
“There are many migrants on the boat.
“The Greek boat can’t enter that area. It’s our (Turkish) territory. they’re Turkish waters.
“They’ve sunk the boat. People are now in the water.
“He had what looked like a lance in his hand. They’ve sunk the boat.
“They’re escaping.”
(LATER IN VIDEO) “A Greek coast guard boat has submerged a migrant boat in (Turkish) territorial waters. Now the migrants are in a grave situation.
“Ismail, have you seen any children? Are there any children?”
(RESPONSE) “Yes, there are children.”
“Now we’re working on saving as many migrants as we can.”
(LATER IN VIDEO) “Take this child, take this child.”
ADVERTISEMENT(LATER IN VIDEO) “The Turkish coast guard has arrived and we’re handing over the women and children.”