20 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Serhat Zafer

SIVAS, Turkey (AA) - At least 20 undocumented Afghan migrants were held in the central Turkish province of Sivas after they illegally entered the country, according to a security source on Tuesday.

The migrants, including 10 children, were caught after gendarmerie forces stopped a minibus on Tokat-Erzincan highway near Golova district of the province during a security check.

The driver of the minibus, identified with the initials H.G., was arrested on charges of human trafficking, while the migrants were sent to provincial immigration office.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.

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

There has been a 60 percent increase in migrant flow since 2016. The number was 31,000 in 2016.