* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)
Click to read the article in Turkish
The fate and whereabouts of a boat carrying around 70 Afghan refugees in Lake Van have still been unknown since June 27.
After setting off from Altınsaç Neighborhood in Gevaş district of Turkey's eastern Van province, the boat has got missing. While the bodies of six refugees were found on June 1, the search and rescue teams recovered the dead body of one more refugee today (July 3).
The search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
CLICK - Bodies of six refugees found after boat sank in Lake Van near Turkey's Iran border
As reported by the Anadolu Agency (AA), Van Provincial Gendarmerie Command, Provincial Security Directorate, Gendarmerie Search and Rescue teams, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and National Medical Rescue (UMKE) teams are searching the region by water and sea.
During these works, the dead body of a person, reportedly a refugee, has been found in the Çarpanak Peninsula.
'Boat has not yet been found'
In a statement for the press, the Governor's Office of Van has announced that "the deceased bodies of seven people, considered to be foreign nationals, have been recovered so far." Referring to the news reported in the press, claiming that the "capsized boat has been found by the teams," Governor's Office has indicated that "these are unfounded news."
"Developments regarding the search and rescue activities will be shared with the public," the Office has further indicated. (RT/SD)
