The LA times has reported that a boat which was apparently packed to capacity with Syrian and Iraqi refugees has sunk off the Western coast of Turkey leaving more than 60 people, including some 28 children, dead. Turkish media reported on Thursday that the boat, with passengers hoping to reach Europe, struck rocks and sank.
The report went on to state that the vessel sank near the Turkish province of Izmir, and that, according to the governor of Izmir, the death toll had reached 61, including 28 children and three infants. It was also stated that some 46 people were rescued by Turkish teams. Footage of rescue boats trying to assist the stricken vessel which was already below the surface could be seen on Turkish television.
This is not the first such incident as it follows a similarly tragic accident off the coast of Cyprus last week that resulted in the death of 7 Syrians.
Turkey is already struggling to cope with the massive influx of refugees from troubled areas like Syria as are other neighboring countries like Jordan. Many are not accommodated and have to wait along with thousands of others at sometimes dangerous border crossings. Those who do eventually cross borders then have to endure the inevitable difficulty of life in border camps. Others take their chances to try to go to Italy and other European nations risking dangerous sea journeys.
Indeed we are God’s and unto Him we are retuning.