A boat carrying refugees capsized in Lake Van, in the area of the rural Altınsaç neighborhood in Van province on June 27. Reports say that some 100 refugees have disappeared and search for the missing is continuing.

Five dead bodies have been found on Tuesday. There was no information immediately available on the identity and nationality of the persons in question.

Hundreds of refugees from Central Asian countries, especially Afghanistan and Iran arrive in Van almost every day. The fact that refugees come to Van without encountering any obstacles strengthens the claims that the State is actually closing an eye on the border crossing.

There is a police station and a tower watch every 100 meters on both sides of the border between Turkey and Iran. However, refugees are pouring into Turkey from Iran apparently without any obstacle.

The State, which has opened the borders to refugees are banning Kurds from crossing it, for example to make some trade. Indeed, Kurdish youth who try to cross the border are shot at by Turkish soldiers.

The tragedy of the refugees coming to Van does not end there. During the winter months, 50 refugees who tried to pass from Iran to the province of Çaldıran froze to death. As a result of an accident involving a minibus full of refugees being smuggled by human traffickers, 17 people died and 50 people were injured.

On the Turkey-Iran border in the last 3 years, hundreds of refugees froze to death or died in traffic accidents. On 28 June in Muradiye, province of Van, one refugee lost his life and 41 were injured as a result of an accident involving the vehicle in which the refugees were traveling.