Over 760 undocumented migrants held in Turkey in 2 days

By Mehmet Tosun

ANKARA (AA) - More than 760 undocumented migrants have been held across Turkey in the last two days, according to the Turkish military and gendarmerie on Tuesday.

In a statement posted on its official website Tuesday, Turkish General Staff said 664 people were held when they attempted to cross into Turkey via borders with Greece and Syria on Monday.

Out of the total, 638 people were held when they attempted to cross into Turkey from Syria, while 26 others were held during their attempt to cross into Turkey from Greece.

Also on Monday, 57 people were held when they attempted to cross into Greece from Turkey.

Separately, gendarmerie rounded up 45 people, including Afghans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis when they stopped a minibus in Sarikamis district of eastern Kars province, a gendarmerie source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said Tuesday.

Cem G., the driver of the minibus, was detained.

In western Kirklareli province, gendarmerie held 50 migrants -- all of them Syrians -- when they were preparing to cross into Europe using an illegal route in Demirkoy and Kofcaz districts.

They were later transferred to migration management authorities.

In Bayburt, a Black Sea province, gendarmerie held 24 migrants, including Afghans and Pakistanis, during a road control in Demirozu district.

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