43 illegal immigrants die at sea

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-11-2007 08:45

A coast guard officer stands next to bodies of would-be immigrants wrapped in plastic bags, near the western Turkish coastal city of Izmir. (AFP)

The death toll of illegal immigrants who drowned off the Turkish coast has risen to 43 and could continue to rise.

It's reported a boat carrying at least 60 illegal immigrants sank off the coast of Aegean province on Saturday.

Local officials say the boat was small and overcrowded, and travelling in rough weather.

They say six people have been rescued. There is no immediate information on the migrants' nationalities.

Thousands of immigrants from Asia and Africa enter Turkey illegally on their way to European countries in search of jobs and a better life.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei