Tensions escalated on Tuesday night in the Thracian Sea after Greek fishermen confronted Turkish boats accused of crossing into Greek territorial waters.
According to reports from ERT, Greek fishermen claim that Turkish vessels have repeatedly entered Greek waters in recent days to fish illegally. The situation came to a head around 21:00 on Tuesday in an area between Thasos and Samothraki, when Greek boats moved to protest.
Video published by kavalanews.gr shows the incident unfolding. According to Giannis Manios, president of the Kavala purse seiner association and vice-president of the national union, around 20 Greek boats took part in the protest. “Our fishermen were met with insults, threats, and even shots fired into the air,” he told voria.gr.
Manios added that Turkish boats have been approaching as close as four to six nautical miles from Samothraki’s coast, sailing from the port of Ainos. Greek fishermen from Kavala, Thessaloniki, and Halkidiki were present at Tuesday’s confrontation, but eventually withdrew and returned to the port of Keramoti.
Authorities are monitoring the situation, as tensions between Greek and Turkish fishing fleets in the northern Aegean show no signs of easing.
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