Two suspects detained in probe into migrant boat disaster

ISTANBUL

The detentions conducted late on Nov. 4 are the first since the previous day’s accident, which killed at least 24. DHA Photo

Police have detained two suspects in an investigation launched into the sinking of a migrant boat off the northern coast of Istanbul as a search continues for 13 people who were on the vessel, including the Turkish captain.

The detentions conducted late on Nov. 4 were the first since the previous day’s accident, which killed at least 24.

Officials believe that the boat set off from the southern shores of the city on Nov. 2 at midnight, traversing the entire Bosphorus despite the continuous monitoring of the strait, before sinking off the small Rumeli Feneri village at the confluence of the Black Sea and the Bosphorus.

The 42 Afghan refugees on board reportedly paid 7,000 euros to travel to Romania.

Only six survivors were rescued by fishermen and Turkish Coast Guard teams dispatched to the area. Many children and babies were reportedly among the victims of the accident, which has again drawn attention to the increasing number of migrants choosing risky sea routes in a desperate bid to reach Europe.