Over 1,250 irregular migrants held in Istanbul over past 3 days

By Kubra Kara

ISTANBUL (AA) - More than 1,250 irregular migrants were held in Istanbul, Turkey, over the last three days, local authorities said on Monday.

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Twitter that a total of 40,286 migrants have been held in Istanbul this year.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,251 migrants, including 506 Afghans, were held in the city for the past three days, Yerlikaya said.

They were handed over to the local migration office for deportation procedures, he added.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkey, which already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any country in the world, is taking new security measures within and on borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz in Ankara.