WORLD NEWS: Up To 40 Migrants Drown After Boat Sinks

Up to 40 migrants, including at least 10 babies and young children, have drowned after their boat capsized off the Turkish coast.

The vessel, which was en route to the Greek island of Lesbos, sank near the resort of Ayvacik.
Turkish officials said they expect the death toll to rise, as more bodies are believed to be inside the boat.

Most of those who drowned were Syrians.

The suspected smuggler is reported to have been arrested

According to the Anadolu agency, 75 passengers were rescued.

It is believed the boat hit rocks soon after leaving Canakkale, which lies about five miles north of Lesbos.

Distressing pictures from the scene show the bodies of children washed up on a beach.

The weather is not believed to have caused the shipwreck, as temperatures were mild and there was only a light wind.

Police have reportedly arrested a Turkish man suspected of being the smuggler who organised the trip.

It is unclear how many people were on board, but initial estimates from the coast guard suggest there were 120 passengers.

Locals said they woke up to the sound of screams after the boat capsized.

It follows a similar tragedy on Thursday, which saw 25 migrants drown off the Greek island of Samos. Ten of them were children.

Since the start of this year, more than 250 people have been killed as they attempted to make the perilous crossing from Turkey to Greece.

In contrast, there were 805 drowning deaths during the whole of 2015 in the region.

In total - across all migration routes - nearly 4,000 people died trying to reach Europe by sea last year.

The route is one of the main corridors for migrants and refugees hoping to enter the European Union.

An estimated 2.5 million refugees have fled Syria and taken refuge in Turkey - but some intend to travel onwards.

Last November, Ankara agreed to tackle smuggling networks and attempt to slow the flow of refugees heading into Europe.

At present 2,000 new asylum seekers are believed to be entering the Balkan states on a daily basis - and Turkey has begun granting work permits to Syrians as an incentive for them to stay put.

In exchange, the EU pledged €3bn (£2.3bn) to help improve conditions for migrants in Turkey.


Follow The Forefront on facebook Global audience / facebook Nigerian audience  /The Blogger's  facebook personal account   and facebook  (fan page)/  &  twitter

Instagram: osagiejoshua

BBM Channel: C002CB006

ADVERTISE WITH THE FOREFRONT: +234-803-698-6103. For more details CLICK HERE NOW
Share the Forefront's posts on social media with options below. Thank you!