Turkish gendarmerie rescues 57 migrants from heavy rain

By Burak Akay

CANAKKALE, Turkey (AA) - Turkish gendarmerie rescued 57 irregular migrants who were stranded off the coast of western Canakkale province on Monday, according to security sources.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the migrants were preparing to cross to Greece's Lesvos island.

However, they could not set sail due to heavy rain and called the gendarmerie for help, the sources said.

The migrants are from Afghanistan and some other African nations.

Separately, at least 114 irregular migrants were held in Didim district of western Aydin province, the sources said.

The sources added that the migrants are Afghan, Syrian and Palestinian nationals.

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

Some 205,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018 as of Oct. 15, according to the Interior Ministry.

* Ferdi Uzun contributed from Aydin.