At least five migrants die as boat sinks off southwestern Turkey

MUĞLA – Anadolu Agency

DHA Photo

At least five people were killed when a boat carrying migrants sank near the southwestern province of Muğla early on March 17, state hospital sources said.
      
The vessel was carrying about 15 Syrian and Iraqi migrants when it capsized off the coast of Muğla’s Bodrum district while proceeding toward the Greek island of Kos.
      
Turkish Coast Guard rescued eight migrants after fishermen spotted the boat sinking off of Kara Island, 3.2 kilometers away from Bodrum.
      
Search and rescue teams backed by helicopters are continuing to look for more survivors.

Meanwhile, 46 Syrian migrants were caught in another illegal migrant operation carried out by the coast guard in Bodrum while trying to get to the Greek Island of Kos.

The coast guard warned the suspicious boat off the Bodrum coast to stop early in the morning. Following the successful operation, forty-six migrants, including women and children, were taken abroad two coast guard boats.