World
16:47, 14-Oct-2018
22 dead as vehicle carrying migrants crashes in western Turkey
Updated
16:39, 17-Oct-2018
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At least 22 people, including children, died when a truck carrying illegal immigrants overturned in Turkey's western province of Izmir, Turkish state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
13 others were injured, Anadolu added.
The truck was en route to Izmir from Aydin province and plunged off the highway into a river-bed in western Turkey.
Turkish police forensic experts examine the wreckage of the truck, carrying migrants, after it crashed in Izmir, October 14, 2018. /VCG Photo
Turkish police forensic experts examine the wreckage of the truck, carrying migrants, after it crashed in Izmir, October 14, 2018. /VCG Photo
Large numbers of ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
The nationalities of the migrants, as well as their destination, were not immediately clear. However, an investigation has been launched into the incident by local authorities.
Turkey is a main launch point for migrants from troubled countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa seeking a new life in Europe. A million migrants crossed from Turkey into Greece in 2015.
A 2016 accord to curtail the influx was reached between Ankara and the EU after hundreds died crossing to Greek islands a few miles off the Turkish shore.
Numbers have fallen since but people are still making a journey that perceived as being extremely difficult.
7350km