VAN — 2020 · Major Tragedy

Lake Van Migrant Boat Disaster

ClosedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On 27 June 2020, a boat carrying irregular migrants that had set out from Altınsaç in the Gevaş district of Van sank in Lake Van. The wreck was found 11 days later at a depth of 107 metres, about 1 kilometre from Çarpanak Island. Lengthy search and recovery operations established that 61 people had died. Prosecutors indicted 12 people on charges of migrant smuggling and causing death, seeking prison terms of up to 38 years each. In a ruling on 26 October 2022, the Van 7th High Criminal Court sentenced one defendant to a total of 1,033 years in prison and acquitted 10 others. The disaster drew attention to the dangers of the irregular migration route across Lake Van and led to stepped-up security checks on the lake.

Date: 2020
Place: Gevaş, Van
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Closed
Coordinates: 38.4700, 43.2000 ↗

Timeline of Events

27 June 2020The migrant boat leaves Altınsaç and sinks in the lake
8 July 2020The wreck is found near Çarpanak Island at 107 m depth

2020The toll is confirmed at 61; 12 people are indicted
26 October 2022The court sentences one defendant to 1,033 years and acquits 10

Sources

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