Baby Among 20 Dead After Boat Carrying Afghan Migrants Sinks Off Türkiye Coast

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Bodrum: At least 20 people, including a baby, have died after a rubber dinghy carrying Afghan migrants sank off the coast of Bodrum in Türkiye early Wednesday, authorities said.

According to the Turkish coastguard, the vessel was detected near the Yalikavak coast at around 6 a.m. local time. Despite repeated visual and audio warnings to stop, the boat continued at high speed before taking on water in rough weather and sinking.

Rescue teams recovered 21 survivors, most of whom were taken to hospital for treatment. However, one of the rescued migrants later died, bringing the total death toll to 20.

Search and rescue operations were carried out by multiple coastguard vessels and a helicopter dispatched from Izmir, as authorities battled heavy rain and stormy sea conditions.

Mugla Governor Idris Akbiyik confirmed that all passengers on board were Afghan nationals and said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The number of fatalities rose as recovery teams located additional bodies during continued operations in challenging weather conditions.

Shipwrecks are common along this route, as migrants attempt the dangerous journey from Türkiye to nearby Greek islands, often seen as a gateway to the European Union.

The Aegean Sea remains a key crossing point for migrants from the Middle East and North Africa seeking to reach Europe.