At least 14 migrants lost their lives when an inflatable dinghy capsized in the Aegean Sea near the Turkish resort town of Bodrum, officials confirmed on Friday. The death toll was initially reported as seven but rose after further bodies were recovered by the coast guard.
According to the Mugla governor’s office, the coast guard was alerted to the emergency in the early hours of Friday morning. Two survivors were rescued, including one Afghan national. One of them told authorities the dinghy had been carrying 18 people when it began taking on water and sank within just 10 minutes. Another survivor managed to swim to Celebi Island.
Search and rescue operations remain underway, with four coast guard vessels, a helicopter, and a specialist diving team deployed to locate the two migrants still missing.
The incident highlights the dangers of the short but treacherous sea route between Turkey’s southwestern coast and the nearby Greek islands of Kos, Samos, Rhodes, and Lesbos, which are often used as entry points into the European Union. Bodrum, in particular, lies only a few kilometers from Kos, making it a frequent departure point for migrant boats.
The tragedy adds to the growing toll of lives lost in the Mediterranean. According to the International Organization for Migration’s Missing Migrants Project, nearly 1,400 migrants have died this year attempting to reach Europe by sea. Many of these deaths occur in overcrowded, poorly equipped boats that are unable to withstand rough waters.
Authorities in Turkey have repeatedly warned of the risks, but desperate migrants continue to attempt the crossing, driven by conflict, poverty, and the hope of a safer future in Europe. Human rights groups argue that without safer legal pathways, such tragedies will continue to claim lives on Europe’s borders.
+ There are no comments
Add yours