Turkey denies coastguard boats 'hijacked', F16s return to base

Media reported earlier that F16s were searching the disputed waters between Turkey and Greece

Turkish jets scrambled today in search of two coastguard vessels reportedly hijacked and headed for Greek waters, but later called off the hunt after an apparent false alarm.

In a sign of high-strung nerves five days after Turkey's bloody coup attempt, and amid a subsequent purge of military and other officials, media reported that F16s were searching the disputed waters between Turkey and Greece.

However, the interior ministry soon denied any claims that rebel soldiers might have "hijacked" a vessel to flee to Greece via the Aegean Sea, a sensitive maritime region.

"All coastguard boats are continuing their mission under the Coast Guard Security Command, and allegations of hijacking are not true," said a ministry statement carried by the state-run Anadolu news agency.

A Turkish official also told AFP that, although some soldiers wanted as suspects in the coup remained at large, "we do not have any missing helicopters, planes or vessels".

The private Dogan news agency, which had first reported on the air force search, later reported that it had been based on a tip-off on two suspicious boats spotted off Greece's Symi island.

"After the surveillance flights, the Turkish F-16 jets have left the region," reported Dogan, adding that general "reconnaissance is still ongoing".

The government has cracked down hard on alleged rebel soldiers, formally arresting 99 of 118 detained generals and admirals, and also placing in custody thousands of troops, with some later seen bruised and wounded.

Turkish authorities have launched an operation to find 21 commandos who are suspected of Friday's attack on Erdogan's hotel in the Aegean coastal town of Marmaris.

Erdogan told CNN this week his life had been in grave danger. "If I stayed (in Marmaris) 10, 15 minutes more, I would either have been killed or kidnapped and taken away by them," he said.

In the immediate wake of Friday's failed coup, eight Turkish military officers fled to Greece in a helicopter.

The eight — two commanders, four captains and two sergeants who have applied for asylum in Greece — have denied any involvement in the failed putsch and insist that they fled from Turkey to save their lives after coming under police fire.

They are to face trial for illegal entry on tomorrow.