ATHENS – A Turkish patrol boat deliberately collided with a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel near the island of Kos, within Greek territorial waters, at 5:45 on Wednesday. According to an announcement by the shipping ministry, there was a clear intention to ram the Greek vessel.

The Greek patrol boat was carrying out orders to patrol the sea border at the time.

The collision caused minor damage to the patrol boat and none of the crew were injured. In the meantime, there were no instances of illegal entry or arrival of migrants at the islands of the eastern Aegean in the last 24 hours, the coast guard said.

Turkish ambassador summoned over incident with Turkish patrol

The Turkish ambassador in Athens has been summoned for explanations regarding an incident involving a Turkish patrol boat, government spokesperson Stelios Petsas said on Wednesday.

The Greek patrol boat was carrying out orders to patrol the sea border at the time.

Turkey ‘exposed’ by incident in the Aegean, shipping minister says

“Turkey has once again violated international law in a way that is both provocative and dangerous. Its aim is clear: To provoke an incident in the Aegean”, stated Shipping and Island Policy Minister Yiannis Plakiotakis regarding an incident involving a Turkish patrol boat in Greek territorial waters early on Wednesday.

“Once more Turkey is exposed in the eyes of the international community,” the minister said, stressing that “the Greek Coast Guard will continue to protect our sea borders having increased its operational activity to the highest level.”