Migrants drown off Turkish coast

CANAKKALE, Turkey

 At least six people have died after a boat carrying Syrian migrants sank near the northwestern coast of Turkey.

The group, including women and children, had sailed from the Ayvacik coast of Canakkale province to reach the nearby Greek island of Lesbos when their boat ran into trouble and sank.

The Turkish Coast Guard launched a rescue operation and saved 10 people, including two children and four women, as well as recovering six bodies.

Thursday’s tragedy comes just days after 101 people were detained in the same area attempting to reach Greece illegally.

The Aegean Sea is one of the most frequently used routes for illegal migrants trying to reach EU countries.