By Ferdi Uzun
AYDIN, Turkey (AA) - The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 38 asylum seekers who were pushed back by Greek coastal authorities into Turkish waters off the Aegean coast, a security source said on Friday.
Acting on a tip-off, a coast guard team was dispatched off the coast of Didim in Aydin province after learning that the asylum seekers were stranded on two life boats, said the source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
The asylum seekers, who are all foreign nationals, were taken to the shore, it added.
Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants wanting to reach Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
Earlier this year, Turkey opened its gates to irregular migrants to cross to Europe, accusing the EU of failing to keep its promises under a 2016 migrant deal.
*Writing by Gozde Bayar in Ankara