Three migrants are confirmed to have died after their rubber boat sank off the Turkish coast near the seaside resort town of Foca. Search efforts continue for four others believed to be missing, after the Turkish coast guard succeeded in saving the lives of 38 migrants on board the craft. In recent weeks, the death toll on the Aegean migrant route has once again been rising.
The migrant vessel is believed to have left the Turkish coast on February 12 — despite rough seas and stormy weather all along the western coast of Turkey at the time of departure.
It is not yet known from where exactly it had set off; however, it was discovered near the small town of Foca, which belongs to the seaside district of Izmir. This coast is a frequent jumping off point for migrants hoping to reach the Greek islands.
Turkish Coast Guard teams were dispatched to the site after receiving an emergency call, saving the lives of 38 people while recovering three bodies.
According to survivor accounts, four people are still missing, prompting an expanded search and rescue operation with air and sea-backed units.
Foca is located close to Lesbos, a Greek island about 30 kilometers to the west, which over the years has become one of the chief entry points used by migrants seeking to reach the European Union.
More deaths near Turkish-Greek land border
In an unrelated development earlier in the week, two other men, also believed to be irregular migrants, were found dead along the Turkish-Greek land border near the town of Didymoteicho.
They were taken to hospital at the weekend, where they were pronounced dead; an autopsy has been ordered to establish the exact cause of their deaths.
The Greek national broadcaster ERT reported that the bodies of two men were located near the banks of the Evros river, which separates the two countries; following days of bad weather and heavy rains, the border river has reportedly been swollen, making it particular perilous to cross.
Chios shipwreck under investigation
However, the most notable migrant tragedy this month took place near the Greek Island of Chios on February 3, when 15 Afghans died and many more were injured in a reported collision with a Greek coast guard vessel.
Details that have since emerged about the incident cast doubt upon that official narrative, as leaked autopsy reports suggest severe head injuries and fractures inconsistent with a collision-at-sea.
Survivors of the incident have also rejected the official account, prompting an inquiry which has piqued the interest of political and civil society groups across the country and beyond.
Greek border officials have for years faced accusations of using heavy-handed — and often illegal methods — at sea. Accusations they repeatedly deny. However, several EU investigations into these allegations are pending.
The Greek government maintains that it plays by the rules, and that it does not engage in anything that could endanger lives at sea.
Arrests in Turkey
On the other side of the Aegean Sea, Turkish prosecutors have arrested five suspected smugglers in connection with the deadly incident off the Greek island of Chios.
They face charges of migrant smuggling and "killing with probable intent."
An investigation launched by authorities in Izmir identified seven suspects in total. Those individuals have been released under judicial supervision.
Turkey has intensified its crackdown on smugglers and has expressed a desire to work more closely with Greece to help stop such deadly crossings.
Read AlsoGreece: At least 15 migrants dead after boat collision off Chios
Over a decade of migration into the EU
Many migrants arriving in Turkey attempt to cross either into Greece or Bulgaria, before continuing up the so-called Balkan route to Western and Northern Europe.
While most irregular migrants don't initially want to stop in Turkey, many people end up being stuck in the country for years before continuing their journey.
More than 500 migrants have been killed or gone missing in the Mediterranean since the start of 2026, according to the UN migration agency. This is considered to be an unusually high death toll in such a short space of time.
Last year, early 1,900 migrants went missing or died while attempting the dangerous crossing during the entire year.
Read AlsoGreek police arrest smuggling suspect after Chios deaths