Seven Afghan migrants, including three children, died sinking in a fiber boat off western Canakkale province in Turkey early on Tuesday.

According to Turkey's Anadolu news agency, the incident took place when the 6-meter boat was passing through an illegal route to reach the Greek island of Lesbos sank off Babakale village in Ayvacik district.

A total of 20 people were on-board out of which 13 were rescued safely to Babakale port as informed by a coast guard commander in a statement.

Further one of the survivors is identified to be a migrant smuggler belonging to Iran. He was later arrested.

Turkey has been often used by a large number of refugees to cross into Europe.

Among those who have been arrested, a majority of migrants come from Pakistan followed by Afghanistan.