Turkey stops 115 asylum seekers from crossing to Europe

Afghan, Iraqi, Iranian, Syrian nationals were trying to enter Romania via Black Sea

By Gokhan Gucukluoglu

SINOP, Turkey (AA) - Turkish coast guard teams on Monday rounded up 115 asylum seekers who were trying to cross to Romania from Turkey's Black Sea coast.

“A total of 115 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Syria, including children, were caught off the coast of Akliman district of Sinop province on their way to Romania," the local governor's office said in a statement.

Legal action has been initiated against the captain and asylum seekers, the statement said, adding that they were referred to the Provincial Security Directorate.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkey hosts nearly 4 million Syrians, more than any other country in the world.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar

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