Turkey rescues 65 asylum seekers pushed back by Greece

By Mustafa Gungor

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkey rescued 65 asylum seekers early Tuesday who were illegally pushed back by Greece into Turkish waters in the Aegean Sea.

Some 30 asylum seekers who were in a rubber boat were taken ashore near Cesme district of Izmir province, the Turkish Coast Guard Command said in a statement.

Thirty-five irregular migrants were also rescued from a rubber boat off Menderes district of Izmir province.

All of the occupants were later taken to the provincial migration office.

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.

Turkey already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, and is taking new security measures at its borders to humanely prevent a fresh influx of migrants.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz