Turkey recovers bodies of 36 drowned migrants

Authorities have recovered the bodies of at least 36 migrants who drowned off Turkey after their boats overturned in rough waters as they tried to reach the Greek island of Lesbos, said authorities.

Nine bodies, including those of children, washed up on a beach in the resort town of Ayvalik early yesterday morning, prompting officials to dispatch coast guard boats and gendarmerie officials to search the area by sea and by land for possible survivors. Twelve others were rescued.

Seven other bodies were washed up on a shore at Dikili, a resort about 50kms south of Ayvalik, the victims of a second migrant tragedy, the private Dogan news agency reported.