A Greek Navy gunboat situated off the islet of Imia was bumped by a Turkish Coast Guard patrol boat on Wednesday.

The Greek islet, which Ankara has controversially claimed in the past belongs to Turkey, was being routinely patrolled by the Nikiforos gunboat when the incident occurred.

According to reports, three Turkish vessels entered Greek territorial waters soon after which one started doing dangerous manoeuvres leading the boat to bump into the Nikiforos.

No material damage of the boat or injuries were reported. The Turkish vessels returned to their own territorial waters and the Greek gunboat continued patrolling the area.

The incident, which was reported on the islet of Praso, is seen as indicative of the rising tension between Greece and Turkey.