ZCZC
BFF-51
TURKEY-ACCIDENT-SEA
3 babies among 6 dead after boat sinks off Turkey coast
ANKARA, July 29, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Three babies were among six dead after a
boat carrying 16 people en route to a Greek island capsized off the
northwestern coast of Turkey, state media reported on Sunday.
Nine people were rescued by the coastguard after the boat, which was
illegally on its way to Lesbos, sank off Ciplak island overnight, state news
agency Anadolu said.
One person remains missing but search efforts continued in Balikesir
province, the agency reported, adding that the individuals on board were
Turkish.
Two of those on board the boat were believed to be traffickers while some
were suspected of being members of the group accused of organising the July
2016 failed coup, Ayvalik District Governor Gokhan Gorguluarslan told the
agency.
Turkey claims US-based Muslim preacher Fethullah Gulen and his movement
ordered the 2016 attempted overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, which
Gulen strongly denies.
Over 77,000 people suspected of links to Gulen have been arrested since
July 2016 while tens of thousands more have been suspended or sacked over
alleged Gulen connections.
BSS/AFP/ARS/1817 hrs