Nearly 230 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By S. Ahmet Aytac

ANKARA (AA) - Nearly 230 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Monday.

In the northwestern Kirklareli province, 73 irregular migrants -- including women and children -- were held in Kofcaz and Demirkoy districts, said a security source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrants -- Afghan, Pakistani, Iraqi, and Iranian nationals -- were trying to reach Europe, the source added.

Also, security forces held 16 Afghan nationals -- including women and children -- in Aralik district of northeastern Igdir province.

Separately, 39 irregular migrants -- all Syrian nationals -- were held by the gendarmerie and the coast guard in Altinozu district of southern Hatay province.

In the Tusba district of eastern Van province, security forces held 80 irregular migrants of Afghan and Pakistani nationals.

In western Mugla’s Bodrum district, 21 migrants were nabbed off Tulluce island.

Children were among the migrants -- who were Somali, Syrian and Palestinian nationals.

Meanwhile, security forces arrested three suspects over human trafficking charges.

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, when the Syrian civil war began.