Turkish Authorities Recover 7 Migrant Bodies off Western Coast

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday that authorities retrieved the bodies of 7 irregular migrants off the country’s western Aegean coast, Daily Sabah reported yesterday.

The bodies were found near the islet of Karaada, a popular vacation spot in Izmir province.

Coast guard teams were dispatched after a fishing boat reported saving a migrant from a nearby area. 18 other migrants were picked up on the islet, and the search continues for a missing person.

Survivors said their boat, carrying 27 people, was pushed back to Turkish waters by Greek forces as they tried to reach Greece. Türkiye has been a key transit point for migrants seeking to enter Europe, with over 250,000 intercepted in 2023 alone. The country hosts 4 million refugees, the most worldwide.