In a distressing incident off the coast of Gökçeada, Turkish fisherman İlker Özdemir’s vessel was damaged by Greek Coast Guard forces. Özdemir, who was fishing within Turkish territorial waters, described the encounter as deliberate and life-threatening, raising serious concerns over the escalating aggression by Greek authorities.
While fishing near the Zürafa Kayalıkları with his son, Efe Özdemir, İlker Özdemir recounted the harrowing event to reporters. His 12-meter boat, named “Kızıl Elma,” was struck by a Greek coast guard vessel. “We were fishing in our own waters when they attacked us. It was deliberate; they intended to kill,” Özdemir stated emphatically.
The confrontation escalated as the Greek coast guard made repeated passes near Özdemir’s boat. “They circled around us twice. We thought they would leave, given our location was 11.5 miles away from the nearest Greek island. We were working comfortably until the moment they hit us,” Özdemir explained. His son Efe captured the collision on video, which served as crucial evidence of the incident.
Following the impact, Özdemir’s boat began to take on water, and he immediately contacted the Turkish Coast Guard. “They hit and ran, waiting for us to sink. Thankfully, the Turkish Coast Guard arrived within 17-18 minutes, preventing a disaster,” he recounted. The collision caused significant damage to the boat, including a dislodged cabin and broken windows, resulting in injuries from shattered glass.
The aggression displayed by the Greek Coast Guard raises significant political and humanitarian concerns. The ongoing tension in the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece over territorial waters and maritime rights is escalating, with incidents like this highlighting the potential for more severe confrontations. The Greek Coast Guard’s actions appear to be part of a broader strategy, targeting both fishermen and migrant vessels, which has drawn international condemnation.
As the situation continues to develop, the international community will be watching closely to see how these tensions are addressed. The incident involving İlker Özdemir is a stark reminder of the volatile dynamics in the Aegean Sea. Whether this aggression is a deliberate strategy by Greece or a series of isolated incidents remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the safety and livelihoods of fishermen like Özdemir are increasingly at risk.
