22 killed including 7 children in boat sinking off the coast of Turkey
Last Updated on March 16, 2024 5:13 am
A boat carrying 22 migrants has sunk near the Turkish Aegean Sea island of Gokciada. They have 7 children. Al Jazeera news.
The country’s local authorities confirmed this information in a statement on Friday. The statement did not disclose the nationality of the 22 deceased.
Governor Ilhami Aktas told Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu Agency that the Turkish coastguard rescued two people off the coast of the town of Isebat in Kanatale province, and that two managed to come ashore on their own.
Authorities say the accident happened at night. Several ambulances are waiting in Kabatepe near Goksiada. The rescue operation is underway, involving a plane, two helicopters, a drone, 18 boats and 502 rescue workers.
Turkey’s coastguard says it has intercepted hundreds of people illegally crossing to Greece since the start of the week. Among them were children. Türkiye accuses Athens of pushing boats loaded with illegal migrants.
In December last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Athens. During this trip, the two countries pledged to work together with Greece to solve the problem of illegal immigrants.
Many migrants are trying to enter Europe from Turkey. That is why they are choosing Greece. But many are dying while crossing the sea.