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Boat sinks off Türkiye, 16 migrants die

HQ (according to VNA) March 15, 2024 19:49

On March 15, Turkish officials said a rubber boat carrying migrants sank off the Aegean coast in northern Turkey, killing at least 16 people.

Canakkale Province Governor Ilhami Aktas said the Turkish coast guard rescued two people off the town of Eceabat in the province, while two others swam to shore.

Authorities have yet to determine the exact number of migrants on board when the boat sank, nor their nationalities. Mr Aktas stressed that the search for the missing is still ongoing in the area where the boat crashed, with the participation of 10 coast guard vessels and two helicopters. Ambulances have also been deployed at a nearby port.

The Aegean Sea is a key route for migrants trying to reach Europe via Türkiye. Although the number of migrants, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, passing through Turkey has declined in recent years, they still use the route through the country to Greece or Italy in search of a better life in European countries.

The Turkish coast guard said this week it had detained at least 93 migrants trying to set off by boat from the Turkish coast in a bid to reach Europe.

HQ (according to VNA)
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Boat sinks off Türkiye, 16 migrants die