Death toll rises to 60 in Lake Van

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The search and rescue teams are still searching for the refugees who were on the boat that sank in Lake Van in eastern Turkey on June 27.

As reported by the state run Anadolu Agency (AA), as of today (July 20), one more dead body has been recovered from the lake, bringing the death toll to 60. Five more people were also found dead yesterday. 

While the deceased have been taken to the Van Forensic Medicine Institution in funeral vehicles of Van Metropolitan Municipality, the teams of Gendarmerie Domestic Security, Underwater Search and Rescue (SAK), Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) and Coast Guard are still searching the lake off the coast of Çarpanak Island with underwater imaging devices.

In early morning hours on July 18, the teams found the bodies of three people. Having recovered the bodies of two children in the afternoon, they also found the bodies of four more people in the evening.

What happened?

After setting off from Altınsaç Neighborhood in Gevaş district of Van on July 27, a boat with refugees on board reportedly got missing.

It was first alleged that the boat of Medeni Akbaş and Servet Akbaş, two fishers and also relatives who were allegedly carrying over 100 refugees, sank in Lake Van in eastern Turkey. As the fate and whereabouts of the two fishers were unknown, the head of Altınsaç Village as well as police and gendarmerie forces were informed about the incident.

Medeni Akbaş, who managed to get out of the capsized boat alive, reached Çitören Neighborhood in Tuşba and called his family. Upon the deposition of Akbaş, who was detained by the gendarmerie, a search and rescue operation has started in the area where the boat sank.

In a statement released by the Van Governor's Office on July 8, it was indicated that the boat was located at a 106.5-meter depth off the shores of Çarpanak. While five people have been arrested in relation with this incident, 70-80 refugees are estimated to have been on board. (AÖ/RT/SD)