15 migrants drown off Greek island, many still missing
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – At least 15 migrants died on Friday as their boat drowned off a Greek island, the Turkish coastguard said.
Among the dead were six children while many others are still missing.
Turkish authorities did not reveal the nationality of the victims, adding that a search is underway for the missing migrants.
A statement from the coastguard added that 48 survivors managed to swim to the Greek coast of Farmakonisi "after the first boat hit rocks around 0030 GMT as it was making the perilous crossing from Turkey." Hurriyet Daily reported.
Most migrants risking the perilous journey to Europe are from the conflict zones of Iraq and Syria including some from African countries.
In late December European countries agreed on guarding their coastline and borders to stem the flow of migrants and asylum seekers.
Turkey and European Union officials reached a deal late last year to stop migrants from leaving Turkey for Europe.
The EU would offer Turkey economic and humanitarian aid to improve the lives of Syrian refugees in camps to discourage them from leaving.
Hundreds of migrants have drowned in the last two years trying to reach Europe via Turkey or North Africa.
Among the dead were six children while many others are still missing.
Turkish authorities did not reveal the nationality of the victims, adding that a search is underway for the missing migrants.
A statement from the coastguard added that 48 survivors managed to swim to the Greek coast of Farmakonisi "after the first boat hit rocks around 0030 GMT as it was making the perilous crossing from Turkey." Hurriyet Daily reported.
Most migrants risking the perilous journey to Europe are from the conflict zones of Iraq and Syria including some from African countries.
In late December European countries agreed on guarding their coastline and borders to stem the flow of migrants and asylum seekers.
Turkey and European Union officials reached a deal late last year to stop migrants from leaving Turkey for Europe.
The EU would offer Turkey economic and humanitarian aid to improve the lives of Syrian refugees in camps to discourage them from leaving.
Hundreds of migrants have drowned in the last two years trying to reach Europe via Turkey or North Africa.