ISTANBUL — A rubber boat carrying migrants capsized in the Aegean Sea on Wednesdayafter a high-speed chase by the Turkish coast guard, officials said.
The unfortunate event resulted in the deaths of 18 migrants, while at least 21 others were rescued successfully.
According to the Turkish Coast Guard Command, the boat, with dozens of migrants on board, ignored multiple warnings to stop and attempted to flee at high speed, ultimately taking on water in the rough seas before capsizing.
The sinking occurred off the coast of Bodrum, a popular Turkish tourist destination.
Rescue teams, backed by a helicopter dispatched from Izmir, pulled 21 survivors from the water. They also recovered 18 bodies.
Rescue teams were continuing to look for any possible remaining victims.
The nationalities of the migrants on board the boat were not immediately known.
Greece is one of the main entry points into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with many making the short but often treacherous journey from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in small boats. Many are unseaworthy, or set out in bad weather, and fatal accidents have been common. — Agencies
Source: Saudi Gazette