Tragic Incident Claims Lives of Three Migrants in Aegean Sea Near Turkey
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On January 17, three illegal migrants died and three others went missing after falling from a rubber boat into the Aegean Sea off Turkey's Aydin province. The Coast Guard rescued 32 individuals, while search operations continue for those unaccounted for.
Key Takeaways
- Three illegal migrants died in the Aegean Sea.
- Three others remain unaccounted for.
- The incident occurred near Kusadasi.
- The Coast Guard rescued 32 individuals.
- Search operations are ongoing.
Istanbul, Jan 17 (NationPress) Three illegal migrants tragically lost their lives and three more are unaccounted for after they fell from a rubber boat into the Aegean Sea near the coast of Turkey's Aydin province, local media reported on Friday.
As reported by NTV, the incident took place close to the coastal town of Kusadasi when the vessel carrying the migrants disregarded a 'stop' command issued by authorities.
During the boat's attempt to evade capture, several migrants slid into the water. The Coast Guard successfully rescued 32 individuals and recovered the bodies of three others.
The report indicated that three individuals remain missing, with search and rescue operations currently underway.
Initial reports suggest that these migrants were attempting to unlawfully reach a Greek island, according to Xinhua news agency.
The Aegean Sea has historically served as a critical passage for migrants seeking to enter Europe via Turkey.
Turkey stands as a significant destination for refugees worldwide, hosting over four million migrants, primarily from Syria, as stated by the Presidential Directorate of Communications.
Since 2015, Greece has emerged as a pivotal entry point for irregular migrant flows into the European Union, especially from the southern regions.
Over the past decade, more than one million individuals have arrived on Greek shores, with the majority continuing on to other European nations.
However, hundreds have tragically lost their lives attempting this perilous crossing.
Incidents involving migrants are frequently reported off the coast of Greece, a primary country for those fleeing poverty or conflict in regions such as Africa, Asia, and the Middle East seeking entry into the European Union.
Most embark on their journeys from the neighboring coast of Turkey.
Greek authorities have noted a rise in undocumented migrant and refugee arrivals via the Aegean Sea or the land border with Turkey.
According to the Migration and Asylum Ministry, an average of over 200 individuals arrive daily through the Aegean Sea.
