At least 15 people died and more than 20 were injured on Thursday when a vehicle carrying irregular migrants crashed in eastern Turkey, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported, citing a local official.
The accident reportedly occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle, which then plunged off the road in İpekyolu, Van province.
“The efforts to rescue the injured and their transfer to the hospital are continuing. So far, 15 people have died and at least 20 others were injured,” Van Governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez told Anadolu.
Among those who were killed were women and children, Bilmez said.
The nationalities of the migrants have yet to be confirmed, he added.
A National Medical Search Team (UMKE) and ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.