Migrant boat with Kurds on board sinks off Turkish coast; many dead

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An unknown number of migrants, among them Kurds, died after their boat capsized in Turkish waters – en route to Greece -- a Kurdish official told Rudaw.

“There are Kurds among the casualties." said Amanj Abdullah, head of the Iraqi Refugees Federation.

"Early Saturday, a boat carrying migrants from Turkey to Greece drowned, killing many people," Abdulla said.

“Until now it is not clear from which part of Kurdistan they were from, but we have been assured they were Kurds.

"The sinking of the boat comes after last month’s deal between Turkey and the European Union, to deport refugees reaching Greece for onward EU destinations back to Turkey, from where they will be sent back to their countries of origin.

Saturday’s tragedy is a repeat of the many migrant boats that sank between Turkey and Greece this summer, drowning hundreds, most of them Syrian war refugees.