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7 Afghan migrants die after boat capsizes off Turkey

7 Afghan migrants die after boat capsizes off Turkey

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A total of 20 people were on board. The remaining 13 were rescued safely to Babakale Port, a coast guard commander said in a statement

Seven Afghan migrants, including three children, died sinking in a fibre boat off western Canakkale province in Turkey early on Tuesday.

According to Turkey's Anadolu news agency, the incident took place when the 6-meter boat was passing through an illegal route to reach the Greek island of Lesbos sank off Babakale village in Ayvacik district.

A total of 20 people were on-board out of which 13 were rescued safely to Babakale port as informed by a coast guard commander in a statement.

Further one of the survivors is identified to be a migrant smuggler belonging to Iran.

He was later arrested.

Turkey has been often used by a large number of refugees to cross into Europe.

Among those who have been arrested, a majority of migrants come from Pakistan followed by Afghanistan.