Türkiye rescues over 118 irregular migrants after illegal Greek pushbacks

By Mustafa Gungor

IZMIR, Türkiye (AA) - Türkiye on Wednesday rescued a total of 118 irregular migrants who were illegally pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greece, authorities said.

Teams were dispatched off the coast of Karaburun and Cesme districts in the Aegean province of Izmir following reports of irregular migrants on boats, the Turkish Coast Guard Command said in a statement.

The migrants were then taken to provincial migration offices.

Türkiye has been a key transit point for irregular migrants wanting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

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