Refugee boat sinks in Van Lake: 7 dead, 64 survivors

A boat carrying 71 refugees sank in the eastern Van Lake, causing seven to die. The Van Governor announced that the remaining 64 passengers were rescued and transported to nearby hospitals for shelter and care, and to complete their paperwork. It was noted that the boat was capsized as it was trying to come aboard in the eastern city of Bitlis around 2 a.m.

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A boat carrying refugees sank in Van Lake in the east of Turkey; seven passengers died while 64 were rescued. The refugees on the boat were from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

The refugee boat was capsized early in the morning on Thursday as it was coming aboard in an area near the Erikbağı and Karşıyaka villages in the eastern city of Bitlis, according to a statement by the office of the governor.

"Five people were found dead at the scene, and two more lost their lives in the Adilcevaz Hospital. The 64 passengers who were rescued were transported Ahlat and Tatvan hospitals for shelter and care, and to complete their paperwork," the statement read.

The statement noted that the refugees on the boat were from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.