ISTANBUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 people were killed and 12 others wounded on Sunday when a truck carrying illegal immigrants overturned in western Turkey, local media reported.

The truck skidded off the road and plunged into a ditch in Izmir Province, state-run Anadolu Agency said.

The NTV broadcaster put the latest casualties at 31, with 19 killed including children, and the driver and 11 others injured.

The truck was en route to Izmir from the southwestern province of Aydin when the tragedy happened, the Hurriyet daily said.

The Aegean Sea is a favorite route for illegal immigrants sneaking toward Europe.