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Seven Die as Migrant Boat Sinks in Lake Van in Eastern Turkey - Reports

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Seven people have died as the result of an incident in which a boat carrying migrants capsised in Lake Van, situated between the provinces of Van and Bitlis in eastern Turkey, the Anadolu news agency reported on Thursday.
Sputnik

The Van province has become a gateway to Turkey for Afghan and Pakistani migrants who cross over from Iran. The migrants first make their way to Turkey so that they can then travel to the European Union.

Sixty-four migrants have been rescued, according to the agency.

Seven Die as Migrant Boat Sinks in Lake Van in Eastern Turkey - Reports

In recent months, migration via Turkey has reached its highest levels since an EU-Turkey deal was sealed in 2016. According to the deal, Ankara promised to prevent migrants from reaching Europe through its territory in return for considerable financial assistance.

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