At least nine bodies have washed ashore on Turkey's southern coast in the past week, raising concerns about the fate of a boat carrying 90 migrants that sank in the Mediterranean last month. Three bodies were found Monday on the shores of Antalya nearby Mugla, bringing the total number to nine, reports Turkish media. Local officials suspect that most of the bodies drifted ashore after the tragic sinking of the boat. The governor's office released a statement on social media highlighting that shoes and clothes from five of the victims appear to have been manufactured in Syria, further indicating that they may have been migrants.

The Lebanese embassy in Ankara reported the disappearance of the boat on December 11, which had sailed from waters between Lebanon and Syria toward the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has reported that more than 3,000 migrants went missing in the Mediterranean in 2023, marking the highest death toll since 2017. These recent tragic incidents highlight the ongoing risks and challenges faced by migrants undertaking perilous journeys in search of safety and a better life. As local officials continue their investigations, the international community is once again reminded of the urgent need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address the plight of migrants and refugees worldwide.