Boat carrying migrants sinks off the coast of Çanakkale: 16 migrants lose their lives

A boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of Eceabat district in Çanakkale. 16 migrants, including four babies, died. Four people were rescued alive. The boat sank approximately 8 nautical miles off the coast of Eceabat.

Çanakkale Governor İlhami Aktaş stated that the boat sank during the night and the incident was reported in the morning: “As soon as we received the report, all relevant units were dispatched to the area. Helicopters, aircraft, Coast Guard, Coastal Safety, and other agencies were sent to the scene. Two people managed to save themselves. Coast Guard teams rescued two people. We even brought one of them aboard our own boat. The rescued individuals were transported to the hospital.

He went on to say: “We are trying to determine the exact number of missing persons. Interviews are being conducted with the survivors. There are some conflicting reports. They are contradicting each other. So far, four people have been rescued alive, and there are 16 confirmed deaths. According to initial assessments, four of the deceased are children and babies.

“Search and rescue operations are ongoing with the involvement of 10 Coast Guard boats, two helicopters, marine police, UMKE (National Medical Rescue Team), and AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) teams in the area. A large number of ambulances are also on standby at Kabatepe Port.”