Greek, Turkish Warships In 'Mini Collision' On Wednesday During A Standoff In The Eastern Mediterranean

Turkish Navy frigate TCG Kemal Reis (F-247) is pictured in the Bosphorus strait in Istanbul, Turkey May 13, 2019. Picture taken May 13, 2019. REUTERS/Yoruk Isik

Reuters: Greek, Turkish warships in 'mini collision' Ankara calls provocative

ATHENS/ANKARA (Reuters) - A Greek and a Turkish warship were involved in a mild collision on Wednesday during a standoff in the eastern Mediterranean, in what a Greek defence source called an accident but Ankara described as a provocation.

Tensions between the NATO allies have risen this week after Turkey sent a survey vessel to the region, escorted by warships, to map out sea territory for possible oil and gas drilling in an area where Turkey and Greece both claim jurisdiction.

The Turkish Oruc Reis survey ship has been moving between Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete, shadowed by a number of Greek frigates. On Wednesday one of them, the Limnos, was approaching the survey vessel when it came into the path of one of its Turkish naval escorts, the Kemal Reis.

The Greek frigate manoeuvred to avoid a head-on collision and in the process its bow touched the rear of the Turkish frigate, the defence source said, calling it a “mini collision.”

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WNU Editor: Turkish President Erdogan has already issued a warning .... Erdogan says attack on Turkish ship in Mediterranean dispute will exact 'high price' (NBC/Reuters). More here .... Turkish President Erdogan threatens a 'heavy price' to attackers of country's oil vessel Oruc Reis as France sends its navy into the eastern Mediterranean in support of Greece (Daily Mail/AFP).