The Turkish coast guard has recovered the bodies of six migrants who drowned in the Aegean Sea on February 19 after their inflatable dinghy began taking on water. The Interior Ministry reported that 27 others were rescued—20 from the sinking boat and seven from the sea.
The incident occurred near the municipality of Selçuk, in the city of Izmir, a region known for its historical tourist attractions. Authorities have not disclosed the intended destination of the migrants, though the Selçuk area lies just 15 kilometers from the Greek island of Samos, a common landing point for those attempting to reach the European Union.
The nationalities of the migrants remain unknown, but officials confirmed that one survivor was detained on suspicion of people smuggling. Verified footage from the rescue operation showed several children among the survivors. The coast guard responded to a distress call around 4:00 a.m. local time, deploying a rescue ship, three additional boats, and a helicopter. Video released by the Interior Ministry shows officials assisting migrants onto a rescue vessel.
Tragic drownings in the Aegean occur almost weekly. Just last month, seven migrants lost their lives in the same area. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), at least 2,333 migrants died or went missing across the Mediterranean in 2023. The true toll is likely higher, as many disappear without a trace.
