ISTANBUL (AFP) - At least 24 people died and another 15 were injured after two boats overturned yesterday off the northern Turkish coastal town of Trabzon, Anatolia news agency said. Around 20 people were reported missing and the exact number of passengers on board the boats was not known, Anatolia said.

Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer expressed his "deep sadness" over the disaster and offered his condolences to the families of the missing passengers in a message published by Anatolia.

CNN-Turk television earlier reported at least 22 people were dead after the two boats, overloaded with mainly women and children celebrating a local festival, were overturned by a strong blast of wind.

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