Migrant boat sinks off Turkish coast after high-speed chase, killing 19

A rubber boat carrying migrants has capsized off the Turkish holiday resort of Bodrum after a high-speed chase, killing 19 people, officials have said.

The vessel, detected by authorities in the early hours of Wednesday, had ignored repeated warnings to stop, according to the Turkish coastguard.

Officials said in a statement that the boat, which had attempted to flee at speed, capsized and sank in rough seas.

A coastguard helicopter from Izmir was sent to the area along with three boats, and 20 migrants were rescued from the Aegean Sea, according to officials.

The statement did not ​say where the boat had ​departed from, or its destination, and the nationalities of those who were on board are not yet known. Search and rescue operations are continuing.

The Greek island of Kos, an entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, lies 13 miles from Bodrum. Other nearby islands include Kalymnos, Leros and Symi.

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While the journey across the Aegean Sea is relatively short, it can also be treacherous. Many of the boats are unseaworthy, or set out in bad weather, and fatal accidents have been common.

Turkey hosts millions of ​refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

(c) Sky News 2026: Migrant boat sinks off Turkish coast after high-speed chase, killing 19