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The overcrowded fragile rubber dinghy is shown sinking after a Greek crewman lunges towards it with a sharp pole.



The migrants onboard are heard screaming in the dark as their life raft begins to sink into the Aegean Sea.

The footage reveals the Greek ship sailing away from the migrants who are left to die.



The migrants frantically blow whistles in an desperate call for help.



A Turkish coastguard vessel spots the migrants and manages to rescue the drowning refugees.



The Turkish government has now released footage of the disturbing incident and complained to Greek officials.

REUTERS The overcrowded fragile rubber dinghy is shown sinking

REUTERS The migrants onboard are heard screaming in the dark as their life raft begins to sink

The migrants trying to reach the European mainland were later taken to the Turkish port city of Didim, back to the starting point for those trying to cross into Europe.



Commander Rear Admiral Hakan Ustem of the Turkish coastguard told the Greeks: “We would be very pleased if you order your team to refrain from such acts.”



One Turkish government official said: “This is shocking. We expect that this footage will be investigated - it’s difficult for us to understand why they would try to sink a refugee boat".



Greek commander Athanasios Athanasopulos has described his “shock" upon seeing the footage, and vowed to take action.

GETTY Greece has been flooded with migrants in recent months making the perilous trip across rough seas

But other Greek officials have denied any part in the incident, calling it a Turkish hoax.



The Greek coastguard said: "The Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard categorically denies reports in the foreign press and altered audiovisual material on a foreign website, according to which a vessel of the Hellenic Coast Guard is allegedly attempting to sink a boat with refugees.”



"A crew member is attempting to pull close to the side of a large rescue ship a small inflatable dinghy using a navy hook, while an adjacent vessel of the Turkish Coast Guard assists the rescue operation illuminating and facilitating all actions via floodlight.”

REUTERS Around 650,000 refugees and migrants fleeing the Middle East and North Africa have made the journey