Photo credit: Arab News
A man died after the Greek coastguard opened fire on a vessel carrying migrants off the island of Symi in the eastern Aegean Sea.
gCaptain reports that the coastguard reportedly said the man died “probably from a bullet” and that shots were fired at the outboard engine of the migrant boat while trying to immobilize it after ignoring warnings to stop.
Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched into the incident. A Greek prosecutor also ordered the arrest of the coastguard officer who fired the shots. The weapon was also ordered to be confiscated.
The boat left Turkey’s nearby shores with eight men and six women and illegally entered Grek territorial waters, according to the coastguard.
However, a coastguard patrol located it. The boat increased speed and did not respond to visual and audio warnings. The coastguard said it then performed dangerous manoeuvres, putting the lives of the coastguard at risk.
“Warning shots were fired to prevent an immediate risk to coastguard vessel and its crew…and subsequently targeted shots were fired at the outboard engine aimed at immobilizing the speedboat.”
The dead migrant was believed to be from Kuwait. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of people smuggling
