Final answer:
Many refugees drowned leaving Turkey due to dangerous attempts to escape violence, instability, and poverty. Overcrowded and inadequate boats and the extortion by traffickers led to tragic losses as refugees sought safety in Western countries. Safe routes to sanctuary are crucial to prevent such tragedies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons for Refugee Drownings Leaving Turkey
Many refugees drowned while leaving Turkey due to their desperate attempts to flee instability, violence, and poverty. Instability in the Middle East and Africa, particularly from Iraq, Syria, and the Darfur region of Sudan, led refugees to make perilous journeys across the Mediterranean, aiming for a safer life in the West.
The dangerous crossings were often made in inadequate and overcrowded vessels, risking lives to reach destinations like Germany, Sweden, or Britain. Amnesty International has highlighted the need for safe routes to sanctuary to prevent such tragic losses. These routes would allow people to reunite with family and grant visas without resorting to life-threatening travel.
In 2015, the refugee crisis saw Europeans witnessing large numbers of refugees arriving on their shores in small boats. German Chancellor Angela Merkel's response welcomed refugees, while others feared cultural and religious changes. Additionally, human traffickers often extort refugees, leading to dangerous crossings where many have drowned.
Historical contexts, including the Armenian Genocide and Jewish refugees being turned away during WWII, reflect the continuing struggles of refugees seeking safety and the dire consequences when they are not protected. The recent crises of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the 2023 earthquakes in Syria and Turkey are examples of events that have led to massive refugee movements and the associated risks.