Seventeen Migrants Drown as Boat Sinks off Turkish Coast
Mugla Province Tragedy
At least 17 people drowned on Friday after a rubber boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Turkey’s western Mugla province, local authorities confirmed. Search and rescue teams continue to look for possible survivors.
Survivors Raise the Alarm
According to a statement from the Mugla Governor’s Office, an Afghan man who survived the incident swam back to shore and alerted authorities shortly after 1 a.m. He told emergency officials that 18 people had been on board when the boat began taking on water soon after departure.
A second survivor was later found on Celebi Island near Bodrum. Rescuers also recovered 17 bodies from the sea, the statement added.
Ongoing Rescue Operations
Authorities said the search continues for other missing migrants. Four coast guard vessels, a special diving team, and a helicopter are participating in the operation.
Perilous Migrant Routes
The Aegean Sea remains a key route for migrants trying to reach Europe from Turkey, which hosts millions of refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Thousands risk their lives each year attempting the dangerous crossing.
According to the Presidency of Migration Management, Turkey recorded nearly 455,000 irregular migrants in 2019, mostly from Afghanistan and Syria. As of October 16 this year, authorities have detained more than 122,000 migrants.
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