UPDATE - Turkey rescues 172 asylum seekers in Aegean Sea

REVISES DECK, ADDS MIGRANTS CAUGHT IN KOCAELI

By Yusuf Soykan and Tahir Turan Eroglu

IZMIR/KOCAELI, Turkey (AA) - The Turkish Coast Guard rescued a total of 172 asylum seekers off Izmir province since Sunday.

On Aug. 29, 72 asylum seekers were rescued near Menderes district in Izmir after being pushed back by Greek coastal authorities.

On Aug. 30, 32 asylum seekers pushed back by Greek authorities were rescued off Cesme district and 30 asylum seekers who requested help off Karaburun district were rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard.

The Turkish Coast Guard also rescued 31 asylum seekers near Dikili district and seven others off Foca district on Aug. 31.

After routine checks, they were taken to the provincial migration authority.

Turkey has repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

Meanwhile, at least four irregular migrants were held in Turkey’s Kocaeli province early Thursday.

They were caught in a bus at a security checkpoint and police also arrested the driver.

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.