Over 75 rescued from sinking boat in southwest Turkey

By Durmus Genc and Ali Riza Akkir

MUGLA, Turkey

A total of 79 people, including 71 students were rescued from a sinking boat in southwestern Turkey on Monday, according to a district governor.

Naval forces and cost guards were involved in the rescue operation.

The Sakip Sabanci University students swam towards a rock to save their lives; later coast guards and a naval force rescue team took them to a port.

Five rescue boats, an airplane and a helicopter with two naval assault boats were used in the rescue mission.

“There were no injuries and causalities recorded,” Fethiye District Governor Muzaffar Sahiner.

Sahiner said students were seen crying when they were brought to the port by rescuers. He said the survivors were given food and blankets at the port.

The reason why the boat sank remains unknown, he added.