14 undocumented migrants held in northwest Turkey

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin

EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) - A total of 14 undocumented migrants were held in Turkey’s northwestern province of Edirne, a security source said on Tuesday.

Turkish security forces stopped a pick-up van carrying Iraqi and Pakistani nationals in Havsa district of Edirne following a tip-off on suspected human trafficking incident, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The migrants were sent to regional immigration departments, the source said, adding the security forces have launched an investigation to catch the driver.

Turkey has been a main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, the start of the Syrian civil war.

Among migrants held in 2017 in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totaled about 10,000.

The migrant flow has risen 60 percent since 2016, which saw 31,000 migrants.