This video footage captured by a drone shows the moment a Greek coastguard boat allegedly pushes illegal immigrants on board a giant inflatable back into Turkish waters before abandoning them.

Footage then shows the Turkish coastguard turning up in order to rescue the migrants from the dangerous situation in the Aegean Sea.

It shows what Turkish officials claim is the Greek coastguard boat, which can be seen pushing the inflatable as it turns around and then heads back, leaving the people there abandoned.

Later the Turkish coastguard turned up and the migrants can be seen climbing on board the boat to safety.

In a statement, the Turkish Defence Ministry said: “On 16th August, 2022, a Turkish Navy UAV detected illegal immigrants being transferred to an inflatable boat and pushed back towards Turkish territorial waters by the Greek Coast Guard in the north of Karaburun, Izmir.

“The situation was immediately reported to the Turkish Coast Guard which rescued the migrants.”

The officials also shared the accompanying footage of the operation.

It is the latest twist in a region where Turkey has become a major crossing point for asylum seekers looking to start a new life in Europe.

Ankara has been a vocal critic of what they describe as illegal practices by Greek officials to deter migrants which they say violate the human rights of those involved, and international law.