In 2015, some 500,000 people fleeing the civil war in Syria used Turkey as a launching pad to reach Greece, and thus the European Union, across the relatively narrow stretch of water between the Turkish coast and the nearest Greek islands.
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Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency said that 75 people were rescued from the sea after the boat sank near the resort of Ayvacik en route to the Greek island of Lesbos, while one Turkish citizen was detained for his alleged role in organizing the trip.
Saim Eskioglu, deputy governor for the coastal Canakkale province that includes Ayvacik, said the boat “hit rocks soon after it left the coast and, unfortunately, it sank”.
“We believe there are more dead bodies inside the boat, ” he told CNN-Turk TV.
Mostly Syrian, Afghan, and Burmese refugees were on board the vessel.
Among the casualties were nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar and Syria.
The distance from there to Turkey to Greece, across the Aegean, isn’t incredibly long, but it can be incredibly unsafe – especially when so many people cram onto small, rickety boats that have no business at sea.
At least five of those who died were children, Dogan reported, while rescued migrants were hospitalised with hypothermia symptoms.
Journalists at the scene said weather conditions Saturday on the Turkish coast were relatively mild, with light winds and temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius (54 Fahrenheit).
Millman, speaking before Saturday’s tragedy, said the rate of fatalities was running exceptionally high versus 2015. The influx – with more than 1 million migrants coming into Europe a year ago – has put policymakers on the spot, with some countries opening their doors while others come down hard to keep them out.
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Turkey struck a deal with the European Union in November pledging to help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in return for 3-billion euros ($3.3-billion) in financial aid for the 2.5-million Syrian refugees it is hosting, as well as renewed talks on joining the 28-nation bloc.
