01.04.2026 12:10
A rubber boat that did not comply with the "stop" warning off the coast of Bodrum in Muğla continued to move forward and sank due to adverse sea conditions. In the tragedy, 19 migrants lost their lives, while 20 migrants were rescued alive.
Off the coast of Yalıkavak neighborhood in Bodrum, a rubber boat carrying illegal immigrants sank around 06:00. A large number of Coast Guard boats were dispatched to the area. A helicopter belonging to the İzmir Coast Guard Command was also sent to the region.
19 IMMIGRANTS LOST THEIR LIVES As a result of the rubber boat sinking, 19 irregular immigrants lost their lives. 20 immigrants were rescued alive from the water. Search and rescue operations in the area are continuing under difficult conditions due to heavy rain and storm.
FAILED TO OBEY "STOP" WARNING A fast rubber boat, believed to be carrying irregular immigrants, was detected by the Coast Watch Vessel moving towards Greece's İleryoz Island off the coast of Yalıkavak. Upon this detection, the TCSG-302 dispatched to the area warned the mentioned rubber boat, which was seen to have many irregular immigrants on board, to stop, but the fast boat continued to move without complying with the warnings and sank due to taking on water as a result of adverse sea conditions in the area.
Upon receiving reports that irregular immigrants had fallen into the sea, an additional 3 Coast Guard Boats were dispatched to the area, and 1 Coast Guard Helicopter was assigned from İzmir to provide air support for the search and rescue operations. Search and rescue operations were initiated by the dispatched units. Initially, the lifeless bodies of 11 irregular immigrants were reached. As the operations continued, the death toll rose to 19, while it was learned that 20 irregular immigrants were rescued alive.
Source: AA, İHA, DHA