Turkey: 15 migrants travelling in 5-seater vehicle held

By Mesut Karaduman

TEKIRDAG, Turkey (AA) - As many as 15 irregular migrants traveling in a 5-seater vehicle were caught in northwestern Turkey on Tuesday, security officials said.

Security forces in Tekirdag province stopped the vehicle during controls and found the migrants who had entered the country illegally.

They were then transferred to a provincial migration office following health checks in a hospital.

The vehicle's driver was also taken into custody for human smuggling.
Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

The country is host to nearly 4 million refugees, including over 3.6 million Syrians, more than any other country in the world.