Video Shows Greek Coast Guard Trying to Sink Syrian Refugees, Greece Denies Accusations [Watch]
A shocking video has been released showing what looks like a Greek coast guard unit deliberately attempting to sink a boat full of Syrian refugees.
RT reports the Hellenic Coast Guard has adamantly denied the accusations that it tried to sink the life raft, though no real explanation has been given for the footage, which is now circulating on social media.
In the footage released by the Turkish Institute of Public Diplomacy on Friday, a person aboard the Greek ship appears to try to prod the inflatable dinghy with a log rod. The 58 Syrian migrants begin to cry out for help, blowing whistles as the boat fills with water. Eventually, a Turkish vessel arrives to rescue the refugees, taking them to the Turkish port Didim.
According to Reuters, the alleged incident took place on Nov. 12. The Hellenic Coast Guard released a statement on the incident.
"The Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard categorically denies reports in the foreign press and altered audiovisual material on a foreign website, according to which a vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard is allegedly attempting to sink a boat with refugees," the statement read.
The statement went on to explain that the Greek and Turkish coast guards were both attempting to rescue the refugees, claiming the man was trying to pull the raft closer with a navy hook, while the Turkish vessel assisted by "illuminating and facilitating all actions via floodlight."
Reports indicate the video was brought before the head of the Greek coast guard, Vice Admiral Athanasios Athanasopoulos, during a Nov. 18 meeting concerning refugees in the Turkish capital of Ankara. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was also in attendance.
The Hellenic Coast Guard denied these talks ever occurred, and called any alleged attempt to sink Syrian refugees "deplorable" and incompatible with the nation's cultural values.
Around 650,000 refugees and migrants have attempted to reach the European Union through Greece this year alone, with thousands drowning at sea.
Watch footage of the incident below:
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