Turkish police beat us with iron rods before we lost limbs to frostbite, Afghans say

A group of Afghan migrants alleges they were subjected to brutal treatment by Turkish border guards, including beatings and being stripped of their clothes before being abandoned in freezing conditions. Twelve young men and boys, all 25 or under, recounted their ordeal to the BBC after attempting to reach Europe in January.

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I raised my hands - they felt light. Both had been cut off. My throat closed up and I couldn't speak.

They claim they were forced from the eastern Turkish city of Van towards the Iranian border, where temperatures plummeted to -15C. The group stated that at least 20 people in their party of 50 died from freezing, and 11 of the 12 who spoke to the BBC eventually had limbs amputated due to frostbite. One migrant, Shahsawar, 21, described waking up in a Kabul hospital to find his hands and legs had been amputated.

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They kept us for several nights in a warehouse, where snow was falling on us. And they gave us only water and dry bread once a day.

During their detention, the migrants reported being held for several nights in a warehouse with snow falling inside, receiving only water and dry bread once a day. They also claim they were forced to carry wood and clear snow. A particularly violent incident on January 25th was described, where they allege being beaten with iron bars, stripped, and forced to crawl towards a hill in the snow.

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They forced us to do hard labour. We had to carry wood and clear snow.

When contacted for comment, Turkish authorities did not directly address the migrants' specific claims. However, the foreign ministry stated that border forces operate in accordance with national and international laws, providing detained undocumented migrants with essential assistance, including food, water, and medical care.

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Some people's heads were broken and blood was flowing over their shoulders.