Istanbul, March 31, (dpa/GNA) – At least 19 people, including an infant, were killed on Wednesday when an inflatable boat carrying migrants, sank off Turkey’s south-western coast, authorities said.
Teams initially rescued 21 people, one of whom died at the hospital, while a search is under way for at least one person believed to be missing, the Turkish coastguard said in a statement on its website.
Among the deceased is an infant, and all on board were Afghan nationals, state news agency Anadolu cited Mugla province governor Idris Akbiyik as saying.
The latest deadly incident along the frequently used migration route to Europe occurred off the Aegean resort town of Bodrum.
The boat went down after it tried to flee a coastguard vessel that had ordered it to stop, the Turkish coastguard said in a statement.
The boat capsized during the chase as it took in water due to “heavy air and sea conditions,” which prompted a search and rescue operation, the statement said.
Coastguard units rescued 21 migrants while efforts to locate any missing persons continued, it added.
It said operations were launched earlier in the day after receiving information about a group of migrants at sea.
Turkey’s Aegean coastline remains a key departure point for irregular migrants attempting to reach nearby Greek islands and, often, onward to mainland Europe.
Smuggling networks frequently use the route, typically transporting migrants in overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels conditions, that have repeatedly led to fatal accidents.
GNA