At least 14 people have died after a rubber dinghy carrying migrants capsized in the Aegean Sea off Turkey’s southwestern coast, Turkish authorities confirmed on Friday.
The vessel, which departed from the popular resort town of Bodrum in Mugla province, began taking on water shortly after leaving shore, according to a statement from the regional governor’s office.
Eighteen people were believed to be on board. Two survivors were rescued — one Afghan national who swam for six hours to reach land, and another who was found on a nearby island. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for two others who remain missing. Four coast guard vessels, a diving team and a helicopter have been deployed in the effort.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the group was attempting to reach the nearby Greek island of Kos, a frequent destination for migrants departing from Bodrum.
Greece remains one of the primary gateways into the European Union for people fleeing war and poverty across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Despite the short distance between the Turkish coast and the Greek islands, the crossing is notoriously dangerous, often undertaken in overcrowded and unseaworthy inflatable boats. Fatal incidents are tragically common.
Earlier this week, Turkey’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 169 people, most of them foreign nationals, in a nationwide crackdown on migrant smuggling networks.
(Source: Associated Press)
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