87 irregular migrants held in southeastern Turkey: Sources

By Cuma Sari

SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) – At least 87 irregular migrants were held in Turkey’s southeastern province of Sanliurfa, security sources said on Wednesday.

The migrants, mainly from Afghanistan and Pakistan, were hiding inside a truck, said the sources who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Turkish gendarmerie teams in Siverek district were tipped off that a group of foreign nationals will be dispatched to western provinces by trucks.

The truck carrying the migrants was stopped by security forces on the Siverek-Diyarbakir Highway.

The driver was arrested, while the migrants were referred to the provincial migration office.

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