According to a statement by the Turkish Coast Guard, during search and rescue operations, 21 irregular migrants were rescued alive, while the bodies of 18 others were recovered.
Coast Guard teams stated that the group of migrants was spotted at sea around 6:00 a.m. The statement claimed that the inflatable boat did not comply with a “stop” warning and continued fleeing at high speed, eventually taking on water and sinking.
Authorities announced that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The tourist coastal city of Bodrum has long been known as one of the busiest migration routes due to its proximity to islands under Greek control. In particular, Kos Island stands out as one of the main entry points into the European Union through the Aegean.
The distance between Kos and the Turkish coast is less than 5 kilometers. However, this short distance often results in fatalities when crossings are made in inadequate and unsafe boats.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 831 migrants have either gone missing or been found dead in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year.
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