(ANSA) - ISTANBUL, JUL 23 - A boat carrying 45 migrants sank off southwestern Turkey and the coastguard is engaged in a search and rescue mission. This was announced by the Turkish Ministry of Defense.
The Turkish coast guard activated "after getting the tip" of a shipwreck that occurred yesterday about 260 kilometers (160 miles) off the coast of the tourist resort of Kas, the ministry said. There is no information on the nationalities of the migrants. Illegal immigrants often use Turkey as a gateway to thriving EU states, mainly through Greece. (HANDLE).