More than 370 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin and Recep Dagdelen

EDIRNE/HATAY, Turkey (AA) - Security forces held at least 374 undocumented migrants in northwestern Edirne and southern Hatay provinces on Tuesday, according to a security source.

A total of 311 foreigners were held in northwestern Edirne province during security checks.

Among them were Afghans, Pakistanis, Iraqis, Iranians, Syrians and Bangladeshis.

Another 21 undocumented migrants from Pakistan, Iran and Syria were held in Edirne during a road check while they tried to illegally cross the Turkish border.

In southern Hatay province, security forces held 42 undocumented migrants during a road check.

The migrants were later referred to provincial migration authorities.

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