Migrant boat tragedy off the coast of Çanakkale: 16 people, including 4 children and infants, dead

A boat carrying irregular migrants has sunk off the coast of Çanakkale.

Çanakkale Governor İlhami Aktaş stated that the rubber boat sank off the coast of Eceabat and that he is currently in the region.

Providing information that the boat sank during the night and the report was received in the morning, Aktaş said, "As soon as we received the report, all units were dispatched to the region. Helicopters, aircraft, and units from the Coast Guard, Coastal Safety, and other institutions were sent to the area. 2 people were rescued by their own means. Coast Guard teams rescued 2 more people. We even took one of them onto the boat we were on. We have transferred the survivors to the hospital."

"THERE ARE 16 DEAD, ACCORDING TO INITIAL DETERMINATIONS 4 ARE CHILDREN AND INFANTS"

Stating that there is no reliable information regarding how many people were on the boat, Aktaş said, "We are trying to determine the number of missing persons. We are interviewing those who were rescued alive. There is some conflicting information. They are speaking inconsistently among themselves. So far, 4 people have been rescued alive, and there are 16 dead. According to initial determinations, 4 of those who passed away are children and infants."

Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are continuing in the region with 10 coast guard boats, 2 helicopters, sea police, UMKE, and AFAD teams.

A large number of ambulances are also standing by at the Kabatepe Port.

News Source: AA