A high-speed migrant boat collided with a Turkish coast guard vessel off the coast of Ayvalik in northwest Turkey on Sunday, leaving five people dead and one severely injured, Reuters reported. A search operation is ongoing for one person still missing.
The vessel, carrying 34 migrants and one suspected trafficker, struck the coast guard ship near Badavut, sending all aboard into the sea. 5 people who fell into the sea lost their lives. The wounded, a woman, was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The search for the missing person continues, and officials are urging caution in these perilous waters. The Aegean Sea remains a dangerous passage for migrants traveling from North Africa and the Middle East toward Europe. Ayvalik, situated just eight nautical miles from the Greek island of Lesvos, is a frequent hotspot for crossings. The Turkish Coast Guard regularly conducts rescue and interception operations in the area.
Photo: Reuters
