ISTANBUL
Two Turks were charged late Wednesday for their alleged responsibility for the wreck of a ship which cost the lives of 24 illegal immigrants in Istanbul’s Bosphorus Strait on Monday, an Istanbul court has heard.
The court agreed to hear the trial of the pair who was charged by a prosecutor with ‘human trafficking’ and ‘negligence.’ A third suspect is still at large.
Details emerged during Wednesday’s court hearing about the tragic accident. Serkan U., one of the suspects facing trial, told the judge that the frightened immigrants had requested to return to where they had boarded the craft but the on-the-run suspect refused their request.
Serkan U. also told the court the captain of the boat called to the second suspect, demanding help because the boat was sinking. The missing suspect, before disappearing, called the Turkish Coast Guard for help, Serkan U. added.
Following the capsizing of the boat, the two also tried to run away, he said.
A search is still underway to find 13 people unaccounted for since the sinking of the ship.
The craft was reportedly en route to Romania, and was carrying around 40 people when it capsized three miles offshore at the northern end of the 31-kilometer Bosphorus Strait. Six people were rescued. All are believed to hold Afghan passports.
Turkey is one of the main routes for immigrants or refugees seeking a better life in Europe.
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