At least 18 people died when an inflatable boat with an outboard motor capsized in Turkish waters early Wednesday.
Turkish authorities said the vessel, carrying migrants across the Aegean toward Europe, ignored repeated orders to stop and that the pilot tried to outrun the Coast Guard. In rough seas the boat began taking on water and eventually capsized off the coast of Bodrum.
The Coast Guard reported the vessel was first detected at about 0300 GMT. Three boats and a helicopter were dispatched from Izmir to search for survivors. After search-and-rescue operations, 21 undocumented migrants were rescued alive and the bodies of 18 others were recovered. Officials said search efforts are ongoing to determine whether anyone remains missing. No information has been released about the boat’s departure point or intended destination.
The Greek island of Kos lies roughly 20 kilometers (13 miles) from Bodrum. Greece is a common gateway to Europe for people fleeing poverty and conflict across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Turkey itself hosts millions of migrants, including many from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
Migrant drownings in the Aegean are frequent. Human smugglers often supply unseaworthy, overcrowded boats that are particularly vulnerable in poor weather, increasing the risk of tragedy at sea.
Edited by Karl Sexton