Boats Carrying Refugees in Ayvalık and Dikili Capsized

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The rubber boat carrying the refugees who wanted to cross over to Greece has sunk offshore Ayvalık district of Balıkesir province due to stormy weather.

The dead bodies of 13 refugees consisting mostly of children have washed ashore on the coast of Martı Site in Altınova Neighbourhood.

Six refugees who could swim to the wave breakers have been rescued by coast guard teams.

According to the information issued by Hürriyet daily on the basis of the report of Doğan News Agency (DHA) Balıkesir Correspondent Hüsnü Evren, the six refugees found alive, had been suffering from hypothermia due to sunk body temperatures and have been taken into Ayvalık State Hospital for treatment.

All the refugees on board have been identified to have Iraqi and Algerian nationalities.

Also in Dikili at least seven refugees died.

It has been reported that the boat carrying 22 refugees from Salihleraltı area linked to Dikili district of İzmir province to Lesbos Island of Greece has turned upside down. It has been found out that the rubber boat had put out to see on 5 a.m. in the morning. It has become evident that the boat has turned upside down when dead bodies of seven more refugees including women and children washed ashore in Kumburnu area of Dikili district. (EKN/DG)