Boat carrying FETÖ suspects capsizes in NW Turkey
- Türkiye
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 12:00 | 29 July 2018
- Modified Date: 10:55 | 29 July 2018
An inflatable boat carrying 16 people, including Fetullah Terror Organization (FETÖ) suspects and en route to Greek Island of Lesbos capsized in northwestern Turkey on Sunday, according to an official.
Six people including three babies were drowned after the boat sank off Çıplak Island of Ayvalık district, Balıkesir province, Gökhan Görgülüarslan, the district governor, told Anadolu Agency.
Nine others were rescued by coastguards officials and one person is missing, added Görgülüarslan.
Among the group are those believed to be FETÖ members, the organization behind July 2016 coup attempt, said the district governor. He added that two people are traffickers.
FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gülen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.
Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.