Refugee crisis: Greek coast guard leaves 36 irregular migrants to die in Aegean

The engine of a boat carrying 36 irregular migrants was demounted by Greek coast guard forces, leaving the migrants to certain death in the Aegean, Daily Sabah reports.

According to the report, statements by the migrants said that the group of 36 tried to reach Lesbos Island from Turkiye’s Canakkale province’s Ayvacık district but was stopped by Greek forces. The engine of the boat was demounted, and the migrants were pushed back toward Turkish waters.

Receiving information about the migrant boat, the Turkish North Aegean group command of the coast guard took off to rescue the migrants.

The proximity of Turkiye’s Aegean coast to Greek islands makes it a favourite destination for irregular migrants hoping to reach Europe. Some stay in Greece, but most look for ways to get to other European countries, particularly Germany, to pursue better lives.

READ: Turkiye rescues 30 migrants after Greece forces their boat back