UPDATE - Over 160 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

Syrians, Pakistanis among those held by Turkish coast guards in Izmir province

UPDATES WITH MORE FIGURES; CHANGES HEADLINE, LEAD

By Mustafa Yildirim

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkish coast guards held a total of 169 undocumented migrants, who were attempting to cross into Europe, a security official said Friday.

The coast guard teams stopped an inflatable boat in the Dikili district of the Aegean province of Izmir and rounded up 64 illegal migrants including, Syrians and Pakistanis, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Separately, the teams held 57 migrants -- all of them Syrian nationals -- in Izmir's Cesme district.

Later on Friday, 48 migrants, who were attempting to cross into Greece, were held in Dikili district by Izmir provincial gendarmerie command.

They were later transferred to migration management authorities.

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

Kaynak: