UPDATE - Over 260 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

UPDATES WITH MORE MIGRANTS HELD

By Ozgur Tiran

KIRKLARELI, Turkey (AA) - A total of 263 undocumented migrants were held in northwestern and western Turkey on Monday, according to a gendarmerie source.

In the western Kirklareli province, gendarmerie apprehended 33 undocumented migrants near the Derekoy Border Gate, Bulgaria, when they were preparing to cross into Europe illegally.

The migrants, including Palestinians, Syrians and Iranians were later transferred to the provincial migration management authorities.

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

In northwestern Edirne province, a total of 230 migrants were held after gendarmerie and border units conducted raids in the villages of Bosnakoy, Yenikadin, and Orhaniye, and the districts of Uzunkopru and Ipsala.

The migrants -- which included Syrian, Tunisian Moroccan, Libyan, Afghan, Pakistani, Algerian and Palestinian nations -- were attempting to illegally reach Europe.