Over 120 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Salih Baran and Seracettin Seckin

EDIRNE, VAN, Turkey (AA) - Over 120 undocumented migrants were held in northwestern and eastern provinces of Turkey, security sources said on Tuesday.

68 migrants -- who are Syrian nationals -- were captured in northwestern Edirne province while they were preparing to illegally cross into Greece, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

They were held after two minibuses carrying the migrants were stopped in Uyuklutatar village in the central district. One boat, paddles and a pump were also recovered from one of the minibuses.

The drivers of the minibuses were remanded in custody over human smuggling charges, the sources added.

In eastern Van province, 56 Afghan migrants -- who illegally crossed into the country -- were rounded up by the gendarmerie forces, said a security source on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The migrants, including women and children, were held after the security forces stopped a suspected minibus in Muradiye district. The driver of the minibus was arrested, the source added.

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

Among the 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.