A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of Karaburun, İzmir, as four irregular migrants lost their lives after falling into the sea from a rubber boat, while two others were rescued alive.

According to a statement released on the Turkish Coast Guard Command’s official website, a distress signal was received from a rubber boat carrying irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea late on Sunday. In response, the Coast Guard immediately launched a large-scale search and rescue operation.

A Coast Guard helicopter, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a Coast Guard ship, and five Coast Guard boats were dispatched to the scene. Following hours of intensive efforts, teams managed to rescue two migrants alive, while the lifeless bodies of four others were recovered from the waters.

Authorities stated that the search is ongoing for other possible missing migrants, based on information provided by the survivors.

In addition to the Coast Guard units, the İzmir Provincial Gendarmerie Command is also supporting the ongoing operations in the area.

The tragedy highlights once again the deadly risks faced by irregular migrants attempting to cross the Aegean Sea in unsafe and overcrowded boats. (ILKHA)