KABUL (Pajhwok): A boat carrying Afghan migrants capsized in the Aegean Sea near the Turkish coastal city of Bodrum, leaving at least 19 people dead, including an infant.
According to the Associated Press, the incident occurred on Wednesday.
Turkish Coast Guard authorities said the vessel, which was carrying dozens of migrants, ignored repeated warnings to stop and attempted to flee at high speed. The boat later began taking on water in rough seas and eventually capsized.
Rescue teams initially saved 21 people and recovered 18 bodies. Another migrant later died in hospital, raising the death toll to 19.
Authorities said search operations are ongoing for at least one missing person.
Muğla Governor Idris Akbıyık confirmed that all the migrants on board were Afghan nationals and that an infant was among the victims.
dk/sa
