Several photos appeared on Twitter showing an alleged Turkish coastguard ship chasing a dinghy packed with refugees. According to the Maltese source, the incident happened near the Greek island of Agathonisi around 8 AM local time.
Turkish coastguard attacking migrant boat's engine with long pole in Greek waters. @moas_eu pic.twitter.com/e2lAafwtBq
— alex thomson (@alextomo) March 18, 2016
The attackers were trying to hit the refugee boat seeking to disable its engine first using a paddle but then using a rope hook, according to witnesses. Seeing that their attempts were in vain, a bigger Turkish coastguard ship began to circle the refugee boat trying to capsize it.
The migrants attempt to protect themselves and engine with a red rag pic.twitter.com/qUAEpPfNIz
— alex thomson (@alextomo) March 18, 2016
"While this was taking place, a larger coastguard vessel started circling the migrants' boat creating a dangerous wave intended to flood the engine, but could have also capsized the vessel," the Malta-based Migrant Report said.
Turkish coastguards then attempt to swamp/capsize the dinghy with full-throttle broadside wake. pic.twitter.com/MoPA5QlUDU
— alex thomson (@alextomo) March 18, 2016
The chase is said to have continued for about 40 minutes before the dinghy was only half a mile away from Agathonisi's shore.
Europe is currently tackling a major migrant crisis as thousands of people are traveling across the Mediterranean Sea from conflict-torn countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia, to find safe haven in European countries.
