At least 29 irregular migrants held in eastern Turkey

By Kemal Ozdemir

ERZINCAN, Turkey (AA) – At least 29 irregular migrants were held in eastern Turkey, security forces said early Thursday.

Acting on a tip that migrants who illegally crossed Turkey’s border would be transferred to western provinces by vehicles, security forces launched an investigation across Erzincan province.

Stopping a minibus and a car on the road, they caught 29 Afghan nationals, 10 of whom were children.

They also detained two people for allegedly organizing the illegal crossings.

The migrants were transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after routine procedures.

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

Turkey, which already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, is taking new measures at its borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants.

*Writing by Merve Berker