Death toll rises to 11 as migrant boat sinks in Lake Van 2020-07-06 12:10:25 VAN - Recovering a new body, so far rescue teams have recovered 11 bodies killed after the boat carrying migrants across Lake Van is reported to have sunk on June 27.  After the boat carrying migrants across Lake Van was reported missing on June 27 Turkey launched a search-and-rescue mission involving helicopters and boats. Discovering a new body early in the morning, so far rescue teams have recovered 11 bodies.   Authorities estimated the boat was carrying between 70-80 migrants when it went down in stormy weather. The migrants who are all feared to be missing with the boat are believed to be from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.   Last year, seven migrants also drowned when their boat capsized in the same lake, which is close to the border with Iran. Smugglers are believed to be transporting migrants across the lake to escape police checkpoints on nearby roads.