In the early hours of a seemingly serene Friday, March 15, 2024, a rubber dinghy, overloaded and fragile, became the scene of a heart-wrenching disaster off Turkey’s northern Aegean coast.
A statement from the office of the local governor on Friday confirmed that the bodies of 22 victims, including seven children, were recovered by the Turkish coastguard following the capsizing of their inflatable boat near the Turkish island of Gokceada in the Aegean Sea.
Governor Ilhami Aktas informed the Anadolu Agency, a state media outlet, that the coastguard managed to save two individuals near Eceabat in Canakkale province, and two others came ashore on their own. No information has been reported yet on the nationalities of the migrants.
Officials reported that the boat began to sink during the night, prompting the deployment of numerous ambulances at the Kabatepe port close to Gokceada. The extensive search and rescue effort was supported by an aircraft, two helicopters, a drone, 18 vessels, and 502 crew members.
The coastguard also noted the rescue or interception of hundreds, including children, trying to reach Greece since the start of the week.
Since 2017, the Mediterranean has witnessed at least 3,129 migrant and refugee deaths and disappearances, making it the most perilous passage, as stated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Many migrants aim to reach the Greek islands from the western shores of Turkey, targeting affluent European Union nations, often at the cost of their lives during the dangerous journey.
The contentious issue of irregular migration has strained the relationship between NATO allies Turkey and Greece, further complicated by disputes ranging from drilling rights in the eastern Mediterranean to the ongoing division of Cyprus.
Greece has frequently accused Turkey of facilitating migrant crossings at their shared borders and through maritime routes.
The tragedy is a stark reminder of the broader humanitarian issue: the relentless tide of migration driven by conflict, poverty, and hope for a better future. It also raises critical questions about the international community’s role and responsibility in addressing the root causes of migration and ensuring safer passages for those compelled to undertake such perilous journeys.
