Over 40 undocumented migrants held in southern Turkey

By Mustafa Gungor

MERSIN, Turkey (AA) - More than 40 undocumented migrants were held in the Turkey’s southern province of Mersin, according to the governor’s office on Tuesday.

In a statement, the provincial governor’s office said a total of 42 Syrian migrants were caught by in a boat coastguard teams off Akdeniz district after receiving a tip-off.

One suspected human trafficker, who is also Syrian national, was arrested.

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 at 10,000.