Over 70 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Safak Yel and Durmus Genc

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - A total of 74 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey on Wednesday, according to security sources.

In the Aegean Izmir province, 58 undocumented migrants were rounded up when coast guards brought a rubber boat carrying Syrian, Iraqi, Palestinian and Yemeni nationals to the shore, a security source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Security units also rounded up 16 foreign nationals during patrols in another Aegean province of Mugla.

The undocumented migrants were Syrian, Iraqi, Palestinian and Iranian nationals.

All 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.