Turkish Coast Guard rescues 16 migrants as boat capsizes

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkish Coast Guard teams rescued 16 irregular migrants and recovered the bodies of two female migrants on Sept. 17 after the boat carrying them capsized off the coast of Bodrum in the southwestern Muğla province. 

In a statement, the Turkish Coast Guard Command said two teams were sent to the area after voices were heard from the sea. 

The irregular migrants, including 15 Iraqi nationals and a Syrian, were trying to cross to the Greek island of Kos, the statement said. 

It added that search and rescue efforts were ongoing for one missing migrant. 

On a related note, at least 72 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Sept. 17. 

In Başkale in the eastern province of Van, 72 migrants, including children, were detained by local gendarmerie forces, the sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media. 

The migrants were nationals of Afghanistan and Pakistan, they added. 

All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration offices. 

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.