Turkish police raided three factories in the western province of Izmir producing unlicensed and faulty dinghies sold to refugees trying to sail to Greek Islands, state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Saturday.Some 49 faulty dinghies were seized in the operation, the agency said. Video released by police showed the interior of a factory where poor-quality boats were produced. Mattresses were also seen stacked against the wall for use in the boats.
| So the factory hadn't seen an OSHA inspector in quite a while... |
In a deal struck at the end of November, Turkey promised to help prevent refugees from heading to Europe in return for cash, visas and renewed talks on joining the EU.
Turkey is host to 2.5 million Syrians and has spent around $8.5 billion on feeding and housing them since the start of the civil war nearly five years ago, but it has been criticized for lacking a longer term integration strategy to give Syrians a future there.
In Izmir, a cemetery has been established for unidentified refugees who have drowned at sea as they try to make the dangerous journey. Izmir's rundown Basmane neighborhood hosts thousands of Syrians who work in temporary jobs and buy cheap life jackets and buoys as they wait for the right time to sail to Greek islands.