Migrant Raft Crashes and Sinks off Turkish Coast, Killing 7; 19 Rescued

A migrant life raft crashed into rocks and sank off Turkey's Aegean coastal town of Cesme on Tuesday, resulting in seven fatalities, according to the Turkish coast guard.

One individual was rescued by a fishing boat, which then alerted the coast guard. Eighteen others, including children, were rescued from the nearby island of Karaada. Search efforts are ongoing for one missing person.

Survivors reported that Greek authorities had placed them in the life raft and left them to drift near Turkish waters, where it eventually struck rocks and sank. Turkey has frequently accused Greece of conducting "pushbacks," or deportations without proper asylum procedures, a claim Greece denies.

Greece, a major entry point for migrants aiming for the European Union, often sees migrants crossing from Turkey in dangerous boats supplied by traffickers.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on social media showing the coast guard rescuing migrants, including children, from the island. The rescued individuals are reportedly in good health.

(Source: Associated Press)