122 irregular migrants held in western Türkiye

By Anadolu Agency Staff

IZMIR/CANAKKALE, Türkiye (AA) - The Turkish Coast Guard Command rescued a total of 122 irregular migrants Tuesday in the Aegean Sea off the country’s western coast.

In two separate incidents, Turkish Coast Guard teams rescued 112 irregular migrants off the coast of Dikili, Cesme and Foca districts in Izmir province. They had been pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces.

Later, 10 migrants were found in a rubber boat off the coast of Gokceada island in Canakkale province.

They were moved to the provincial migration office, said a statement by the coast guard.

Türkiye has been a key transit point for migrants wanting to cross into Europe to start new lives.

Ankara and international rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law.