Statement of the Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Tanju Bilgiç in Response to a Question Concerning the Transfer of Iraqi migrants to the KRG, who lost their lives or were rescued in the incident in the Aegean Sea

Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Dışişleri Bakanlığı 25.01.2016

QA-2, 25 January 2016

Turkish Coast Guard rescued 23 Iraqis and 2 Syrians in the Aegean Sea on 21 January 2016 after a boat carrying illegal migrants sunk. However, 13 refugees regrettably lost their lives in the incident.

We are working for the rapid transfer of the bodies upon the request of the KRG and the transportation process is about to be completed.

Moreover we will send the rescued migrants as soon as possible to the KRG if they wish to return to their homeland.

We are extending all kind of support to the KRG in this regard.