Six migrants, including three children, lost their lives after falling from a rubber boat in the Aegean Sea near Türkiye’s western Aydın province, the Turkish Coast Guard reported on Wednesday.
According to officials, a rescue team was dispatched early in the morning after reports that a group of irregular migrants attempting to cross to Greece from Izmir province had fallen into the sea near Aydın’s Kuşadası district. Tragically, all six bodies were recovered and taken to a local hospital for identification. Authorities confirmed the arrest of a suspected smuggler linked to the incident.
The tragedy highlights the ongoing dangers faced by asylum-seekers attempting risky sea crossings. The Turkish Coast Guard reported that 45 migrants drowned in 2024 while authorities arrested 484 smugglers that year. In total, 55,467 irregular migrants were caught in Turkish waters, with 2,005 migration-related cases recorded. The highest spike was in August, with 245 cases, followed by increases in September and November.
Türkiye remains a key transit route for migrants, particularly those from Africa and Asia, seeking to enter Europe. Currently, the country hosts more than 4.4 million foreign nationals, including at least 3.1 million Syrians under temporary protection and 228,290 individuals under international protection.
Many migrants rely on smugglers for passage, paying large sums for risky sea journeys. These smugglers often abandon them mid-journey, increasing the dangers of drowning and exploitation. While Turkish authorities frequently intercept migrants before they reach Europe, the crossing to Greece remains a popular but perilous route.
Despite an overall decline in migrant arrivals across Europe in 2024, Frontex, the EU border agency, reported that Greece saw a nearly 40% increase compared to 2023. Around 37,000 migrants arrived in Greece last year, with approximately 30,000 making the journey by boat from Türkiye’s western coast to the Greek islands rather than crossing the land border.
As authorities continue efforts to stop illegal crossings, incidents like this serve as a serious reminder of the desperate and dangerous journeys migrants undertake in search of safety and a better future.