Missing refugee boat located: Death toll increases to 13

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Amid search and rescue operations for a missing boat with refugees on board in Lake Van in eastern Turkey, the Governor's Office of the province has announced that the boat has been located by the teams.

After setting off from Altınsaç Neighborhood in Gevaş district of Van on July 27, the boat reportedly sank in Lake Van.

In its statement yesterday (July 7), the Governor's Office of Van announced that the dead body of a person, considered to be a foreign national, was recovered from the water near the district of Tatvan in Bitlis. That being the case, 13 refugees in total have so far lost their lives.

It has been located at 106.5-meter depth

Since June 27, the lake was being searched by search and rescue teams by both air and sea. After 10 days, the boat has been located. 

In a statement released by the Van Governor's Office today, it has been indicated that the boat was located at a 106.5-meter depth off the shores of Çarpanak. The Governor's Office has also said that the necessary works have been started to recover the dead bodies and the boat.

45 people were reportedly working to find the missing boat.

CLICK - Deceased body of one more refugee recovered from Lake Van

What happened?

After setting off from Altınsaç Neighborhood in Gevaş district of Van on July 27, a boat with refugees on board has 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. (PT/SD)