The Turkey and in particular the coast guard of the neighbouring country, show as responsible for the sinking of the refugee boat at dawn on July 30 off the coast of Sikamnia in the northeast Lesvos, with an account of three missing persons.
According to testimonies of local fishermen who were at the scene of the incident, as reported to Eph.Syn. other residents of the area, around 4.00 in the morning the fishermen noticed a Turkish coast guard boat approaching the refugee dinghy and attempting to deter it.
«The Turkish vessel started moving at high speed around the small inflatable, causing it to capsize and the people to be thrown overboard.», said in the testimony given at the port station of Mithymna one of them who was an eyewitness. In all likelihood it was he who first alerted the authorities.
His testimony was reportedly confirmed by a second witness, also a fisherman, who spoke of the existence of a motorboat in the area a few hours before the wreck, without giving further details, since, as he said, he could not see it in the darkness, but only hear it.
Another fisherman who was in the area at the same time said that he heard voices from the sea just before 4 a.m. and, when he realized that they were calling for help, he called the coast guard who arrived in the area just before 4.30 a.m.
During the rescue operation, nine survivors were found within Turkish territorial waters, while another managed to swim to one of the fishermen's boats, following the light on its bow. However, two women and a child remain missing.
The Minister for Immigration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis denounces Turkey's attitude in a letter to the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, Home Affairs Commissioner Ilva Johansson and Neighbourhood and Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varheli, and Frontex head Fabrice Leggeri. «Not only did the Turkish authorities not proceed with the immediate search and rescue of the people in distress, but they withdrew from the scene,» he said.
From his point of view, the Turkish Coast Guard said in a statement that the allegations are unfounded and denies any involvement. Instead, he claims that when he received a call from the Greek Search and Rescue Centre at 1.30am Turkish time, and another call at 6.23am, he sent his forces there without seeing any incident.
