Boat Carrying Refugees Sinks in Ayvacık, 33 Dead

Click here to read the article in Turkish / Haberin Türkçesi için buraya tıklayın. 

The boat carrying refugees to Lesbos Island of Greece sank in Ayvacık district of Çanakkale province on Saturday. 33 persons have lost their lives, 75 others rescued. The search for survivors continues.

In the written statement made by the Coast Guard Command, it has been announced that a request for help has been sent from Deveboynu Cape at 4.50 a.m.

Following the help request, three coast guard boats, one coast guard diving team, one civilian diving team and a search and a search and rescue helicopter from Air Forces Command has been sent to the region.

According to the report of state-run Anadolu (Anatolian) News Agency (AA), the passengers of the boat are nationals of Syria, Afghanistan and Burma. The person mediating for the refugees has been taken into custody. (EA/DG)

Photograph: Hanife Erdinç, AA