Türkiye rescues 79 irregular migrants pushed back by Greece

By Mirac Kaya and Suat Salgin

BALIKESIR, Türkiye (AA) - Turkish Coast Guard units rescued 79 irregular migrants in two separate incidents, the Coast Guard Command said in a statement Tuesday.

Some 44 migrants on life rafts off the coast of Marmaris district in Mugla province were saved after being pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces.

Coast guard crews headed to the region after they were informed that there was a group of migrants on two life rafts, according to the statement.

The migrants were brought to Marmaris pier and handed over to the provincial directorate of the Presidency of Migration Management after procedures.

Meanwhile, 35 irregular migrants pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces were rescued off the coast of Ayvalik district in Balikesir province.

The Coast Guard’s TCSG-907 boat was assigned to the region upon receiving information on the group of migrants off the coast.

The migrants were sent to the provincial directorate of the Presidency of Migration Management following procedures.