UPDATE - 48 irregular migrants held in Turkey

UPDATES WITH NUMBER OF IRREGULAR MIGRANTS, CHANGES HEAD, LEDE, DECK

By Sahin Oktay and Mehmet Yavas

KOCAELI/CANAKKALE, Turkey (AA) – As many as 48 irregular migrants were held in Turkey, security sources said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, gendarmerie teams rounded up 11 Afghan nationals in the northwestern Kocaeli province, said the sources who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Legal action was initiated against four people suspected of smuggling the migrants.

Separately, a total of 37 irregular migrants were held in the western Canakkale province, security sources said on Thursday.

Acting on a tip-off, a coast guard team stopped a sailing boat, which was heading to Lesbos Island in Greece from Ayvacik, said the sources who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Two human smugglers and 37 irregular migrants were referred to a local police station, it added.

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

It hosts nearly 4 million refugees, including over 3.6 million Syrians, more than any other country in the world.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar