The migrants had set off from Izmir in an apparent bid to reach the Greek island of Lesbos.
Istanbul:
At least 11 migrants drowned today when their boat sank in the Aegean while they tried to cross from Turkey to Greece, local media said.
The migrants had set off from the district of Dikili in western port city of Izmir in an apparent bid to reach the Greek island of Lesbos, Dogan news agency said.
The Turkish coastguard rescued three migrants.
Turkey, which is hosting at least 2.5 million refugees from Syria's civil war, has become the main launchpad for migrants fleeing war, persecution and poverty to Europe.
The deaths came as German Chancellor Angela Merkel was meeting Turkish officials in Ankara for talks on reducing the influx of migrants to Europe.
The Turkish government struck a deal with the EU in November to halt the outflow of refugees, in return for three billion euros ($3.2 billion) in financial assistance.
But the agreement has so far failed to check the tide of arrivals.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 people are still landing daily on Greece's shores from Turkey.
The migrants had set off from the district of Dikili in western port city of Izmir in an apparent bid to reach the Greek island of Lesbos, Dogan news agency said.
The Turkish coastguard rescued three migrants.
Turkey, which is hosting at least 2.5 million refugees from Syria's civil war, has become the main launchpad for migrants fleeing war, persecution and poverty to Europe.
The deaths came as German Chancellor Angela Merkel was meeting Turkish officials in Ankara for talks on reducing the influx of migrants to Europe.
The Turkish government struck a deal with the EU in November to halt the outflow of refugees, in return for three billion euros ($3.2 billion) in financial assistance.
But the agreement has so far failed to check the tide of arrivals.
Between 2,000 and 3,000 people are still landing daily on Greece's shores from Turkey.
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