20.02.2025 08:02
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 27 irregular migrants were rescued from a rubber boat that was taking on water and at risk of sinking off the coast of Selçuk district in İzmir, and that the bodies of 6 individuals were recovered. During the rescue operation, one suspect involved in human smuggling was also apprehended.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on his social media account, containing footage of a rescue operation conducted after receiving a report that a rubber boat carrying a group of irregular migrants was taking on water and at risk of sinking off the coast of Selçuk district in İzmir. In his post, Yerlikaya stated: "Today at 04:03, upon receiving information that a rubber boat carrying a group of irregular migrants was taking on water and a request for help was made, teams from our Coast Guard Command were quickly dispatched to the scene. As part of the rescue operation, 1 Coast Guard Ship (TCSG-311), 3 Coast Guard Boats (TCSG-7, KB-4325, TCSG-902), and 1 Coast Guard Helicopter (TCSG-502) were meticulously deployed, resulting in the successful rescue of 27 irregular migrants, 20 of whom were in the rubber boat and 7 on the water's surface, while the lifeless bodies of 6 irregular migrants were recovered.
1 SUSPECT IN MIGRANT SMUGGLING ARRESTED
1 suspect in migrant smuggling has been arrested. Our fight against human traffickers, who exploit people's hopes and lead them to death without regard for children, the elderly, or women, will continue relentlessly both on land and at sea. We are always on the trail of these human traffickers, whose hearts are as hard as stone."