ISTANBUL, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least five illegal immigrants, including three children, died after their boat overturned early Monday off Turkey's Aegean coast, the Turkish coast guard said.
The ill-fated boat was carrying one Iranian and 14 Afghans, the force said in a statement, noting that search operations were continuing for five people missing in the incident.
Two swam to the shore of Dikili district in Izmir Province early in the morning and reported the incident, while three others were rescued from the area, said the statement.
The Aegean Sea was a favorite route for migrants fleeing into Europe via Turkey. A deal signed between Turkey and the European Union in March 2016 has helped reduce the flow of illegal immigration, but the number of illegal immigrants using this route has risen this year.
