26 irregular migrants held in northwestern Türkiye

By Ozgun Tiran and Sengul Azbay

KOCAELI/ KIRKLARELI, Türkiye (AA) - Some 26 irregular migrants were held in northwestern Türkiye, security sources said on Tuesday.

Three of the migrants were caught in the northwestern Kocaeli province after they were found to have entered the country through illegal means. The migrants were apprehended from a car in the Izmit district.

The security forces also arrested an alleged human smuggler who was later remanded in custody by a court.

Twenty-three other irregular migrants, including Pakistani, Syrian and Afghan nationals, were held in the northwestern Kirklareli province.

All the migrants were taken to provincial migration offices.

Türkiye has been a key transit point for irregular migrants wanting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Last month, the Turkish Presidency of Migration Management said that a total of 30,527 irregular migrants have been deported since the beginning of this year.