BODRUM, Turkey, April 1, 2026
At least 19 migrants drowned when their boat capsized during a coast guard chase off southwestern Turkey amid rough seas, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
The vessel sank in the Turkish Aegean near Bodrum after being pursued by the Turkish coast guard, with strong winds and high waves contributing to the disaster. Twenty-one survivors were rescued from the water, but one later died in a hospital, bringing the total fatalities to 19.
The incident occurred along a frequent migration route toward the Greek islands and onward to the EU mainland. The Turkish Aegean and Mediterranean regions have seen repeated deadly shipwrecks as migrants attempt the perilous crossing to Europe.
No further details about the migrants' nationalities or the exact circumstances of the pursuit were immediately available. Turkish authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
The tragedy follows a pattern of similar disasters in the region, where overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels often fail to withstand the challenging maritime conditions.