Nineteen Afghan migrants, including a baby, drowned when their inflatable boat capsized in the Aegean Sea off the Turkish resort town of Bodrum on Wednesday morning. The Turkish Coast Guard detected the vessel carrying dozens of people around 0300 GMT and issued repeated warnings to stop, but the boat fled at high speed.

In choppy waters, the rubber dinghy took on water and sank, prompting a rapid rescue operation. Coast guard teams dispatched three boats and a helicopter from nearby Izmir, pulling 21 survivors from the sea and initially recovering 18 bodies. One of the rescued migrants later died in hospital, bringing the death toll to 19, according to officials cited by Anadolu Agency. Search efforts continue for at least one person believed to be missing.

Idris Akbiyik, governor of Mugla province, where Bodrum is located, confirmed all those on board were Afghan nationals. The incident occurred near Greek islands such as Kos, about 20 kilometers away, a common departure point for migrants seeking to enter the European Union.

The Coast Guard stated the boat ignored orders and accelerated away, contributing to its instability in the adverse sea conditions. Survivors received medical attention, including treatment for some children and women transported by ambulance.

This tragedy underscores the dangers of irregular migrant crossings from Turkey to Greece. Greece serves as a primary gateway to Europe for those escaping conflict and poverty in regions like Afghanistan, often using overcrowded and unseaworthy vessels operated by smugglers. Such journeys frequently end in fatalities due to poor weather, overloaded boats, and high speeds to evade patrols.

Turkish authorities have intensified efforts to curb people smuggling along the Aegean coast. Bodrum, a popular vacation spot, has seen repeated interceptions amid a persistent migrant flow. No arrests of smugglers were reported in this case.

The incident coincides with another migrant boat disaster off Italy's Lampedusa island, where 19 bodies were recovered separately, highlighting ongoing risks across Mediterranean routes. As of Thursday morning, no further updates emerged from the Bodrum scene.