Over 40 undocumented migrants held in western Turkey

By Esber Ayaydin

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkish coast guards held 42 undocumented migrants in western Turkey, a security official said on Thursday.

The migrants, including women and children, were held in Cesme district of Izmir province after coast guard units stopped a dinghy en route to the Greek islands.

Seven Iraqi and 35 Afghan nationals were among those detained, said an official on condition of anonymity due to restriction on talking to the media.

Turkey has been a main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, since especially the beginning of the civil war in Syria.