By Cigdem Munibe Alyanak, Gokhan Duzyol and Sabri Kesen
CANAKKALE / AYDIN / MUGLA, Türkiye (AA) — The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 134 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea after Greek authorities pushed them back into Türkiye's territorial waters, according to a statement Saturday.
Coast guard units saved 35 irregular migrants from a rubber boat off the district of Ayvacik in Canakkale, while 75 were rescued off the Kusadasi district in Aydin province, said the Coast Guard.
Teams also rescued 24 migrants off the district of Datca in Mugla province.
The migrants were transported to the provincial migration department.
Türkiye and global rights groups have 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.
*Writing by Merve Berker