Footage shows migrants 'left to die' at sea by Greece

By Sarp Ozer

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces on Friday released footage showing Greek coast guard units leaving asylum seekers stranded in the Aegean Sea.

The Greek Coast Guard left migrants to die at sea after they pushed their rubber boat into the Turkish territorial waters, the video footage showed.

The asylum seekers on Thursday were carried by the Greek Coast Guard boat LS-70 to the north of Lesbos Island where they were transferred to a rubber boat before being pushed into the Turkish territorial waters.

Following the sobering incident, Greece forces left the area.

They were rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Late February, Turkey opened its gates to irregular migrants, accusing the EU of failing to keep its promises under a 2016 migrant deal.

Turkey hosts nearly 4 million Syrians, more than any other country in the world.