Türkiye rescues 50 irregular migrants pushed back by Greece

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye’s Coast Guard Command said on Tuesday that its coastguards rescued 50 irregular migrants who were pushed back into Turkish waters by Greek forces.

Teams were dispatched to the Menderes district of Izmir on Türkiye’s Aegean coast after detecting irregular migrants in a rubber boat, the Coast Guard Command said in a statement.

The coastguards rescued 19 irregular migrants, including three children, from a life raft that was pushed back into Turkish territorial waters.

Teams also rescued 31 irregular migrants from a drifting boat off the coast of Dikili district in Izmir after its motor failed.

After official procedures by authorities, the irregular migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

Türkiye is a major transit point for asylum seekers trying to reach Europe to start a new life, especially those fleeing wars and persecution.