ANKARA: At least 17 migrants have died after a boat capsized in the Aegean Sea near Bodrum, a popular tourist destination in southwestern Türkiye.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Office of Muğla province on social media, the bodies of 14 migrants have been recovered so far, while search operations continue for the remaining victims.
Authorities said two people were rescued alive. One survivor told officials that the boat began taking on water and sank within ten minutes. The second survivor managed to swim to Çelebi Island. Among the rescued is an Afghan national.
Following the incident, four coast guard boats, a helicopter, and a team of professional divers have been deployed to search for the missing individuals.
The report noted that the short but perilous sea route between the Turkish coast and nearby Greek islands often proves deadly for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Bodrum lies close to the Greek island of Kos, a common crossing point for migrants.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Missing Migrants Project, at least 1,400 migrants have died this year while trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea.
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