Turkey rescues 28 asylum seekers in Aegean Sea

By Halil Sahin

AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - A total of 28 asylum seekers have been rescued off Turkey’s Aegean coast.

The asylum seekers were rescued off Didim district in Aydin province when coastal security received information that they were in the region in a boat.

After breaking down, the rubber boat began drifting and those on board asked for help.

All on board will be sent to the provincial migration authority after regular checks, according to a statement by coastal security teams.

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

Turkey opened its borders earlier this year to irregular migrants seeking to reach Europe and accused the European Union of failing to keep promises under a 2016 migrant deal.

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