At least 18 migrants drown as boat sinks off Turkish coast
Eighteen refugees drowned in the Aegean Sea near the coast of Turkey, the country’s media reported on Saturday.
The boat had been carrying eight migrants from the Turkish coastal resort of Bodrum to the Greek island of Kos when it capsized.
People on board the ship attempted to sail to Greece, but sank off the southern Turkish town of Bodrum.
Fourteen people have been taken to hospital, many in a serious condition.
Some 80,000 refugees have been rescued off Turkish coasts this year alone, while more than 3,000 died on their way to Greek islands via Turkey.
The report by the Luxembourg government, in its current capacity as president of European Union ministerial councils, said about 4,000 people a day arrived from Turkey since the accord on November 29, a “slight reduction” from the 5,000-6,000 seen earlier in that month.
The organisation estimates that so far in 2015, 991,000 migrants and refugees have crossed European borders, seeking a better life or fleeing from conflict.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 801 919 people have arrived in Greece by sea from the beginning of the year until December 17, with another 4256 having arrived by land.
According to DHA, Turkish authorities have detained two people suspected of organizing the smuggling journey.
The European Summit that ended late on Thursday night in Brussels “acknowledged the key role Turkey plays in the reduction of refugee flows”, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said following the conclusion of the meeting, AMNA reported. Lots of have drowned within the try and reach the security of Europe.