Nineteen Afghan migrants, including a baby, died on Wednesday when a rubber boat carrying them capsized in the Aegean Sea following a high-speed chase by the coast guard, officials said. At least 21 other migrants were rescued.
The Turkish Coast Guard Command said the boat carrying dozens of migrants ignored repeated warnings to stop and attempted to flee at high speed. The boat began to take on water in the rough seas and eventually capsized, The Associated Press reported.
The sinking occurred off the coastal city of Bodrum, a popular Turkish vacation destination.
Rescue teams pulled 18 bodies and 21 people alive from the sea, but one survivor died in hospital, raising the death toll to 19, the Coast Guard added.
The island of Kos lies some 20 kilometers (13 miles) from Bodrum. Other nearby islands include Kalymnos, Leros, and Symi.
Local governor Idris Akbiyik told reporters that a baby was among the victims.
He said all those on board were Afghan nationals, in comments quoted by local media.
However, he attributed the sinking to adverse sea and weather conditions.
Greece is one of the main entry points into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with many making the short but often treacherous journey from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in small boats. Many are unseaworthy, or set out in bad weather, and fatal accidents have been common.
