Turkey opens fire on a boat carrying 300 Syrian migrants

It has been confirmed by Coast Guard officials that Turkey opened fire on a ship carrying over 300 migrants, including women and children, from Syria.

Some 337 Syrian refugees who were found on the 59 metre-long ship off the western coast of Turkey were detained by officials. 85 of the people on board the ship were children.

Canakkale’s Governor, Ahmet Cinar, said that the ship, which was off the Gallipoli peninsula, had ignored warnings to stop. The Coast Guard then decided to open fire upon the engine room of the vessel.

The Dogan News agency reported that shouts of ‘either to Italy or death’ were heard from the desperate migrants on board. It is still unclear as to where the ship’s final destination was.

Hurriyet Daily News has reported that a sports hall in Canakkale has been made into a temporary shelter for the refugees. Amongst those detained include the ship’s crew and the man who is suspected of trafficking the Syrian refugees.

Eleven million people have fled the crisis in Syria, which has now lasted four years and is considered an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. Neighboring countries such as Turkey now act as hosts to these refugees.

Images captured by satellite provide a bleak picture of those who remained trapped in Syria, with blackouts affecting 83 per cent of the landmass.