A group of a dozen young Afghan migrants has told the BBC they endured severe beatings by Turkish border guards before being abandoned in sub-zero temperatures near the Iranian border, leading to widespread frostbite and the deaths of at least 20 individuals. The migrants, all aged 25 or under, described being held in harsh conditions, subjected to violence, and then stripped of their clothing before being pushed into snowy, freezing terrain.

These harrowing accounts shed light on the perilous journeys undertaken by those seeking to reach Europe and raise serious questions about the treatment of undocumented migrants at international borders. The incident, which occurred in mid-January, involved approximately 50 Afghan migrants who had entered the eastern Turkish city of Van. Temperatures in the region had plummeted to -15C, exacerbating the danger.

According to the migrants interviewed, Turkish border guards apprehended them shortly after their arrival in Van. They claim they were held for several nights in a warehouse with inadequate shelter and minimal food, consisting only of water and dry bread. Some reported being forced into strenuous labor, such as carrying wood and clearing snow, while awaiting further directives.

The situation escalated dramatically on January 25, when the migrants allege they were lined up and brutally beaten with iron rods. Stripped of their clothes and with their hands bound, they were forced to crawl towards a hill. Several individuals sustained severe injuries, including broken heads and bleeding wounds, with some losing the ability to use their hands due to the assaults.

Following the alleged beating, the migrants, left with only trousers, were reportedly released in small groups and pushed through barbed wire towards Iran. The conditions were described as a stormy night with heavy snowfall and near-zero visibility, making navigation treacherous. Many feared they would not survive the ordeal.

Tragically, the severe exposure led to devastating consequences. Eleven of the twelve young men and boys who spoke to the BBC, including a 13-year-old, ultimately lost limbs to frostbite. One migrant, identified as Shahsawar, 21, recounted waking up in a Kabul hospital to find both his hands and legs had been amputated. Another, Alawaldin, 23, described the group being stripped and forced to crawl on their stomachs.

When contacted for comment, Turkish authorities did not specifically address the migrants' allegations of violence and mistreatment. However, the foreign ministry stated that border forces operate in accordance with national and international laws. They also asserted that undocumented migrants in detention receive all necessary assistance, including food, water, and medical care.

The accounts highlight the extreme risks faced by vulnerable populations attempting border crossings and underscore the urgent need for thorough investigations into alleged human rights abuses. The fate of the 20 individuals reported to have frozen to death remains a somber testament to the desperation and dangers involved in such journeys.