Turkish boats nearly collide with Frontex vessels off Chios coast in two serious incidents

The matter will be discussed at the Frontex Council

Two serious incidents were recorded on April 26 and 27 in Greek territorial waters, when Turkish vessels harassed Frontex boats off the coast of the island of Chios.

As sources told protothema.gr, a Turkish coastal boat sailed into Greek waters and peroformed a series of dangerous maneuvers at a speed of 35 knots on April 26th at 26:40 in the Northeast of Chios. The vessel reached ten metres from the bow of a Frontex Finnish vessel before changing course at the last minute, barely avoiding a collision.

The Frontex vessel immediately demanded the Turkish boat depart from the area, an order the Turkish boat complied with ten minutes later.

Furthermore, at 7:20 in the morning of the 27th of April, a Turkish Coast Guard vessel passed near a Swedish boat from Frontex, in an area east of Chios. After a while, the Turkish boat left. There were no Greek coast guard boats involved in either of the incidents, as the areas are being patrolled by Frontex.

According to sources, the Frontex service manager was briefed about the incidents, describing the events as “extremely serious”. He also stressed that they are expected to be discussed in the Frontex Council to be held on Friday, while the same sources say the incidents have been conveyed to the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas and the Immigration Commissioner, Ylva Johansson.

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