Turkish coast guard rescues 144 irregular migrants in Aegean Sea

By Ferdi Uzun

AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - Turkey rescued 144 asylum seekers in the Aegean Sea late Wednesday after they were illegally pushed back by Greek authorities into Turkish territorial waters, according to the Turkish Coast Guard Command.

The irregualar migrants were rescued in operations in western Aydin province off the coasts of Didim and Kusadasi, it said in a statement.

Rescue teams dispatched aid to a group traveling in a rubber boat after it requested help.

All of the migrants were handed to local migration offices for deportation procedures.

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