UPDATE - Over 130 irregular migrants held in Turkey

93 held in southwestern Mugla province, 44 others in northwestern Canakkale province

UPDATES WITH MORE MIGRANTS HELD

By Ali Riza Akkir

MUGLA, Turkey (AA) - At least 137 irregular migrants were held in Turkey, according to security officials on Monday.

As many as 93 migrants -- including children and women -- from Iraq, Somalia, and Palestine were detained aboard a boat off the coast of the southwestern province of Mugla as they attempted to sail to Greece, Turkish Coast Guard officials told Anadolu Agency.

The boat was seized and an investigation was underway to arrest the human traffickers who arranged the illegal travel.

Later, Turkish gendarmes sources told Anadolu Agency that 44 Afghan migrants were held in the northwestern province of Canakkale as they were attempting to illegally cross to Greece.

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.

*Mehmet Yavas in Canakkale contributed to this news story.

Kaynak: