Dozens of irregular migrants rescued off Turkiye’s western coast

By Sabri Kesen, Ali Balli

MUGLA, Turkiye (AA) - The Turkish Coast Guard on Thursday rescued a total of 44 irregular migrants off the coast of the country’s southwestern Mugla province.

A group of 21 irregular migrants were found in a life boat near the Datca district, coast guard sources said, adding they were pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces.

Meanwhile, 23 irregular migrants were found drifting in another boat off the coast of the Bodrum district. The Turkish Coast Guard launched a rescue operation and brought them ashore.

All the irregular migrants were referred to the provincial migration office.

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.

The Turkish government and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

Turkiye 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.

*Writing and contribution by Ali Murat Alhas in Ankara.