UPDATE - Turkiye rescues 73 irregular migrants off western coast

ADDS PUSHBACK OF 28 IRREGULAR MIGRANTS BY GREECE, REVISES DECK

By Ali Murat Alhas and Mirac Kaya​​​​​​​

ANKARA/BALIKESIR, Turkiye (AA) – Turkiye’s Coast Guard Command said Monday that it rescued a total of 73 irregular migrants off Mugla and Balikesir provinces.

According to a statement, 20 of the irregular migrants were rescued off Bodrum district in Mugla, while 25 were helped off the coast of Marmaris district.

The statement said coast guard units sent rescue boats after a tip suggesting irregular migrants were struggling on rubber boats.

The migrants were first rescued and brought to land and then taken to the provincial migration office.

Additionally, the Turkish Coast Guard rescued 28 other migrants off Balikesir province who were pushed back into Turkiye’s territorial sea by Greek coastal authorities.

Turkiye has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

It already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, and is taking new security measures on its borders to humanely prevent a fresh influx of migrants.