Türkiye rescues 88 irregular migrants pushed back by Greece

By Haydar Toprakci

IZMIR, Türkiye (AA) - The Turkish Coast Guard said on Monday that it rescued 88 irregular migrants who were illegally pushed back into Turkish territorial waters in the Aegean Sea by Greek authorities.

Turkish teams were dispatched off the coast of Karaburun and Cesme districts in Türkiye’s Izmir province after the coast guard received information about irregular migrants on life rafts and inflatable boats.

The teams located the migrants and brought them to shore.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command said their teams also caught 75 migrants trying to cross illegally off the coast of Dikili, Cesme and Seferihisar districts in Izmir province

Türkiye and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

Türkiye has been a key transit point for irregular migrants wanting to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.