Over 40 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Erdal Turkoglu and Huseyin Yildiz

TEKIRDAG / HATAY, Turkey (AA) - A total of 44 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey on Tuesday, according to security sources.

In the southern Hatay province, 40 Syrian refugees were rounded up while trying to illegally enter Turkey from Syria, a security source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Security units also rounded up 8 migrants -- all Syrian nationals -- during patrols in the northwestern Tekirdag province.

They were referred to provincial migration authorities.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011.

Among the migrants held last year in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totaled 10,000.