Another incident showing the Turkish coastguard harassing a vessel carrying refugees and migrants from the Turkish coasts towards Greece, has caused the intense reaction of the UN and the Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
The UN mentioned in a Tweet that “The Turkish coastguard is attacking vessels that are carrying refugees, according to testimonies of the MSF.” At the same time the MSF highlight that “Whilst EU leaders are sitting down to speak to Turkey, the Turkish coastguard is attacking refugee boats.”
The footage that depicts the incident was broadcasted by Chanel 4 News journalists, Alex Thomson and Stuart Webb. According to the information, the Turkish coastguard approached the boat as it was leaving the Turkish territorial waters and was heading towards Agathonisi.
The video had been shot in the Turkish territorial waters across the island earlier on Saturday. The video shows refugees wearing life vests embarking a float, which is receiving hits by poles from two men on another boat.
A Turkish coastguard officer confirmed the incident, highlighting however, that the coastguards were trying to spot the boat engine, without harming the passengers. He also said that the most common way is to tie the boats with the refugees to the Coastguard ship and to take them back to Turkey.”This boat however, did not stop its engine and continued towards Greece,” he said.
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