Turkish Coast Guard dismiss Greek media claims

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's Coast Guard Command on Thursday dismissed Greek media reports claiming Turkish officials did not help stranded irregular migrants heading toward the island of Lesbos.

A statement by the command said a boat was dispatched for the group of irregular migrants upon their request for help on Wednesday.

"Upon a call for help that was made at 04.14 a.m. (0114 GMT) on Dec 02 to Turkish Coast Guard units by the said group of irregular migrants, a search for the position of the irregular migrants was conducted and the nearest Turkish Coast Guard boat (TUR CG 907) was immediately dispatched to the area," said the statement.

"However, it was detected by the Turkish Coast Guard boat, which arrived at the scene of incident at 05.10 a.m. (0210 GMT), that the migrants’ boat in question was within the Greek waters," it added.

Stating that a Greek Coast Guard vessel was close by, a call for help was made but no response was received.

"Nevertheless, Turkish assets continued to stay and wait within the Turkish territorial waters until 05.50 a.m. (0220 GMT) so as to be ready for any emergency case," it added.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command also released video footage of the incident. They also released radar records.

"Respecting the principles of human rights and laws, Turkish Coast Guard Command is always ready 7 days 24 hours to help anyone who is in distress/in need of any help at sea."

Separately, Ismail Catakli, deputy interior minister, said on Twitter: "Greece is trying to cover up crimes with false information from the Migration Minister causing deaths in the Aegean Sea with inhumane practices."

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants wanting to reach Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.