At least eight irregular migrants died and another 31 were rescued by Turkish coastguard after their capsized off the coast of western Turkey’s Muğla province while trying to reach trying to reach the Greek islands.

Two rescue boats, a helicopter and a special diving unit was sent to the area after coast guard received reports of a sinking boat.

The coast guard launched search and rescue operations to locate any additional survivors or casualties.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011, the beginning of the Syrian civil war.

Some 268,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.