Death toll up to 19 in refugee boat capsize in Black Sea

ISTANBUL, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The death toll has risen to 19 after a refugee boat sank early Friday off the Turkish coast in the Black Sea, the Turkish Coast Guard said.

A total of 40 refugees have been rescued in the rescue operation involving the coastguards and fishermen, the Turkish Coast Guard said in a statement posted on its website.

Rescue teams are continuing to search for the missing numbering 9 to 11, the statement said.