Turkish drones used to detect forest fires noticed that the LS-134 vessel belonging to the Greek coast guard approached Turkey's Başak Island, south of Kaş in the Mediterranean, according to the statement.

Turkish Coast Guard Command units were immediately directed to the region to rescue the immigrants who had been abandoned to die, the statement said.

Turkish authorities and human rights groups have repeatedly accused Greece of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of migrants, including women and children.