More than 21 migrants die after boat sank off Turkey

At least 21 migrants, including four children, died when their boat sank off the coast of Turkey, the governor of a province in the country’s northwest said.

Ilhami Aktas, governor of Canakkale province, confirmed that the boat sank in the Aegean Sea. Four people were initially rescued, but the death toll later increased to 21. Four of the dead were children and infants.

The boat sank Thursday evening and the coast guard launched a search using boats and helicopters. However, the death toll could rise as data remains conflicting.

A search for survivors is currently underway with the help of ten coast guard boats, two helicopters and a rescue team. Ambulances are also waiting for possible survivors on the coast.

The scene is eight miles from the Eceabat district in Canakkale province, which is one of the main departure points for migrants seeking to reach Greece.

Since the refugee crisis began in 2015, thousands of migrants, including children, have died or gone missing in the region en route to Greece and other European countries.

About 100 people have died or gone missing crossing the central and eastern Mediterranean this year, double the number in the same period in 2023, the deadliest year for migrants at sea in Europe since 2016.

Source: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/03/15/at-least-21-migrants-die-after-boat-sinks-off-turkey/