Published : 15-01-2020
A total of 171 irregular migrants, including women and children who were trying to reach Greece's islands, were held by Turkish Coast Guard on January 13, 2019 in Menderes and Urla districts of Turkey's Izmir province.
The Turkish Coast Guard said that 122 of the arrested migrants are Afghani nationals, 28 Syrians, nine Congolese, 6 from the Republic of Togo, and two migrants from Central Africa and Egypt. Another migrant has been identified as a Palestinian refugee and one more as a Nigerian.
The migrants were referred to the Directorate of Immigration in Izmir pending the finalization of legal procedures.
Turkey has been a key transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe, mainly via Greece. Many are fleeing violence and persecution in their countries. Many rely on people smugglers and face dangerous land and sea routes which often result in deaths.
A total of 171 irregular migrants, including women and children who were trying to reach Greece's islands, were held by Turkish Coast Guard on January 13, 2019 in Menderes and Urla districts of Turkey's Izmir province.
The Turkish Coast Guard said that 122 of the arrested migrants are Afghani nationals, 28 Syrians, nine Congolese, 6 from the Republic of Togo, and two migrants from Central Africa and Egypt. Another migrant has been identified as a Palestinian refugee and one more as a Nigerian.
The migrants were referred to the Directorate of Immigration in Izmir pending the finalization of legal procedures.
Turkey has been a key transit point for migrants trying to reach Europe, mainly via Greece. Many are fleeing violence and persecution in their countries. Many rely on people smugglers and face dangerous land and sea routes which often result in deaths.
