Turkish Coast Guard nabs 105 irregular migrants, rescues 35 pushed back by Greece

By Halil Sahin

IZMIR, Türkiye (AA) - A total of 105 irregular migrants trying to leave Türkiye illegally were caught on Sunday off the coast of western Izmir province, while 35 irregular migrants pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek forces were brought ashore.

A Coast Guard boat was deployed to the region upon receiving information that there was a group of irregular immigrants in a rubber boat off the coast of Seferihisar district, according to a statement on the website of the Turkish Coast Guard Command.

Forty-five irregular migrants on the stopped boat were caught.

In another operation, Coast Guard teams caught 60 irregular migrants in rubber boats off the coast of Dikili and Cesme districts in Izmir.

Another 35 irregular migrants were rescued in rubber boats off the coast of Dikili after being pushed back by Greek forces into Turkish territorial waters.

All of the irregular migrants were sent to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after official procedures.