Turkey rescues 44 migrants in Aegean Sea

By Mustafa Yildirim

IZMIR, Turkey (AA) - The Turkish Coast Guard on Tuesday rescued 44 migrants trying to reach Greece using a dinghy in the Aegean Sea, according to a security official.

The incident took place off the Cesme district of the Izmir province as the boat was taking on water, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Among the migrants, who were later taken to a provincial migration authority, were 36 Syrians and eight Eritreans.

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