Turkey rescues 115 asylum seekers in waters of Aegean

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey rescued 115 asylum seekers Wednesday from the Aegean Sea off the coast of the Izmir, Aydin, and Mugla provinces, according to the Turkish Coast Guard Command.

The asylum seekers included 77 irregular migrants who were illegally pushed back by Greece into Turkish waters, and 38 others in two separate boats which were detected by mobile radar, said statements.

All of the asylum seekers were taken to provincial migration offices.

Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates international law and humanitarian values by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

It already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country, and is taking new security measures on its borders to humanely prevent a new influx of migrants.