33 Refugees Drown in Turkey En-Route to Greece

A distraught woman is rescued by the coast guard in the Aegean Sea, near Turkey's western coast.

Published 30 January 2016

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Refugees lost their lives as they were trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos. Victims are believed to be of Syrian, Afghan and Myanmarese origin.

At least 33 people, including five children, drowned in the Aegean Sea after their boat capsized off the Turkish coast, local press reported on Saturday.

Coast guard official said the refugees lost their lives as they were trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos, vicytims are believed to be of Syrian, Afghan and Myanmarese origin.

ANALYSIS: The Making of the Migration Crisis

Meanwhile, authorities said that at least 43 passengers had been rescued so far and sent to local hospitals with hypothermia symptoms.

Turkey has become the main launch pad for refugees, especially Syrians, who are fleeing from conflicts or extreme poverty in their countries. However, in their journies are often fatal.

Turkey is currently hosting an estimated 2.5 million refugees from Syria.

January 2016: the deadliest month in the #Aegean Sea since the #refugee crisis began, with 94 dead, 34 missing in #Greek waters
— UNHCR Greece (@UNHCRGreece) January 29, 2016

RELATED: Europe's Refugee Crisis

According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 218 people have died this year while trying to cross by sea from Turkey to Greece.

Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that over 1 million refugees and migrants fled to Europe by sea, many on board dangerously inadequate vessels.

WATCH: The Refugee Trail: Syria to Europe