Daijiworld Media Network - Ankara

Ankara, Jan 17: Three illegal migrants lost their lives, and three others remain missing after falling from a rubber boat into the Aegean Sea off Turkey's Aydin province, according to local media reports.

The tragedy occurred near Kusadasi when the migrant boat ignored a "stop" warning from security forces. As the boat attempted to evade capture, several migrants fell into the water. The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 32 individuals and recovered three bodies, while search and rescue efforts continue for the missing.

Preliminary findings suggest the migrants were attempting to cross to a Greek island illegally, reported Xinhua news agency.

The Aegean Sea remains a perilous route for migrants seeking entry to Europe via Turkey. Over the last decade, more than a million migrants have used this passage to reach Greek shores, often continuing to other European nations. However, the journey frequently ends in tragedy, with hundreds losing their lives attempting the crossing.

Turkey, hosting over four million migrants—primarily Syrians—continues to be a key transit point for those fleeing poverty or conflict. Meanwhile, Greece has seen an increase in undocumented arrivals, averaging over 200 per day via the Aegean Sea, as reported by its Migration and Asylum Ministry.

The incident underscores the ongoing risks faced by migrants navigating the dangerous waters in pursuit of a better future.