Over 150 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Zafer Tayfur and Safak Yel

VAN, Turkey (AA) - More than 150 undocumented migrants have been held in eastern Turkey, according to a security official Friday.

Out of the total, 33 Afghan nationals were held in Van province, a security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Among them were eight children.

In the Aegean province of Izmir, 13 Palestinian nationals were held in Cesme district while 59 Syrians were held in Dikili district when they attempted to cross into Greece.

In Didim district of another Aegean province of Aydin, 47 undocumented migrants were held along with six smugglers, including an Iraqi national.

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

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.

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