18 Dead, 21 Rescued as Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Turkish Coast

At least 18 migrants have died after a rubber boat carrying dozens of people capsized in the Aegean Sea on Wednesday following a high-speed chase by the Turkish Coast Guard , officials said. At least 21 other migrants were rescued and pulled from the water, while search teams continued to look for any remaining victims.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command said the overcrowded vessel ignored repeated warnings to stop and attempted to flee at high speed in rough seas . The boat began taking on water and eventually overturned off the coast of Bodrum , a popular resort town in southwestern Turkey’s Muğla Province .

Rescue operations were supported by coast guard boats and a helicopter dispatched from Izmir , which helped recover the bodies of the 18 dead. Authorities have not yet released the nationalities of those on board , and it remains unclear where the boat had departed from or who organized the voyage.

The incident highlights the perilous nature of the Aegean Sea migration route , a short but dangerous crossing from Turkey to nearby Greek islands such as Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, and Symi , which lie roughly 20 kilometres from the Turkish coast. Greece remains a key entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict, poverty and instability in parts of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia .

Many migrants attempt this crossing in small, overcrowded and often unsafe boats , and fatal accidents are common, particularly in rough weather or high seas. Despite repeated warnings from authorities about the dangers, the flow of migrants seeking entry into Europe continues unabated.

Turkish authorities said search and rescue operations were ongoing late Wednesday, as officials worked to account for anyone still missing and to gather further details about the tragic incident.