UPDATE - Over 350 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

CHANGES SPOT; UPDATES WITH MORE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS

By Ramazan Ercan

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - At least 358 undocumented migrants have been held during anti-human trafficking operations across Turkey during the last 24 hours, according to a security source.

In western Izmir province, coast guards held 190 undocumented migrants trying to reach Greece within the last 24 hours, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Another 18 undocumented migrants were held in southwestern Mugla province's Bodrum district.

Also, 95 migrants were held in the Aegean province of Aydin’s Didim district and Izmir's Cesme district by gendarmerie and security units.

Later, another 18 undocumented migrants in a wooden boat were held by coast guards in Bodrum. One of the migrants was a Palestinian national; 17 others were Syrian nationals heading to Greece.

Another 37 Afghan nationals were held in eastern Van province.

All the held migrants were sent to regional immigration departments.

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