The UN Refugee agency on Friday referred to increasing attacks of migrants trying to sail from Turkey to Greece by people trying to prevent them from reaching Europe. An international NGO that did not wish to be named has launched an investigation into the shooting claims after several witnesses reported such attacks. Some said they were robbed while others said that the motors of their boats were stolen.

The Greek coastguard has previously used “push backs” to deter irregular migrants from entering Greek territory and the UN’s refugee agency on Friday said that Greece’s infrastructure was unable to cater to the needs of the 109,000 migrants who had landed in Greece this year. The NGO, however, believes that this type of activity had ended on the part of Greek officials, and is now suspecting the involvement of organized crime gangs to deter migrants.

Most alleged attacks were reported near the Greek island of Lesbos in the eastern Aegean.

Italian activist Nawal Soufi says that around 20 smuggling boats had been attacked in this region in recent months. The migrants themselves are uncertain as to the identity of their attackers with some speaking of commandos, coast-guards, pirates and the like.