A boat carrying Afghan migrants capsized off the coast of southwestern Turkey, killing at least 19 people, Turkish media and local officials said.
The vessel overturned in waters near Bodrum, in Muğla Province, in what authorities described as an incident caused by rough weather and sea conditions.
Idris Akbiyik, the provincial governor, said all those on board were Afghan nationals. He said about 20 people had been rescued by emergency teams, while search and rescue operations were continuing by air and sea.
At least one child was among the dead, officials said, though a full breakdown of victims by age and gender has not been released.
Survivors were receiving medical treatment, and authorities said efforts were ongoing to locate any remaining missing passengers.
The incident highlights the risks faced by migrants attempting to cross dangerous sea routes. An advocacy group, the International Association for Aid and Solidarity of Bright Generation, said many of those on board were migrants whose asylum applications in Turkey had been rejected and who lacked safe options to return to Afghanistan.
The group urged the international community to pay greater attention to the situation of Afghan migrants, warning that many are forced into irregular and hazardous journeys.
