UPDATE 2 - 55 irregular migrants held across Turkey

ADDS MORE IRREGULAR MIGRANTS HELD, UPDATES HEADLINE, SPOT, LEDE

By Ozgun Tiran, Zekeriye Simsek and Kadir Yildiz

KIRKLARELI/GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AA) - At least 55 foreign nationals who entered Turkey illegally were held in northwestern Kirklareli, Kocaeli, and southwestern Gaziantep provinces, security sources said Thursday.

Gendarmerie teams received information about the presence the foreign nationals in Malkoclar and Yukarikanara villages in the Kofcaz district of Kirklareli province.

A total of 15 Afghan foreign nationals were held and referred to a local migration-center.

Separately, two more foreign nationals were discovered to be hiding in a truck bed in southwestern Gaziantep province.

A truck driver noticed people hiding in his truck’s bed when he entered the garage of Islahiye municipality in Serinevler district to unload the cargo.

Gendarmerie teams went to the location after being notified by the driver and found two people who did not have identity cards or passports, and entered Turkey illegally.

The two, M.Z. and H.M., later found out to be Afghan nationals, were referred to a local migration-center.

Also, 38 irregular migrants, including 35 Syrian and three Bangladeshi nationals, were held in a vehicle during a police control check on the highway in Kocaeli, according to the statement by police.

A driver of Syrian origin, identified as H.M.A., was held by police for alleged migrant smuggling. After being transferred to a courthouse following the police station, the suspect was detained by a court ruling.

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.

Turkey, which already hosts 4 million refugees – more than any country in the world – is taking new security measures both within and on borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants.

*Writing by Merve Berker and Jeyhun Aliyev in Ankara