UPDATE - Over 400 irregular migrants held in Turkey

UPDATES WITH MORE MIGRANTS HELD

By Necat Hazar

VAN, Turkey (AA) - At least 402 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said on Friday.

In the eastern Van province, 91 irregular migrants -- including Afghan and Pakistani nationals -- were rounded up by security units, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Separately in the northwestern province of Canakkale's Ayvacik district, 33 Afghan nationals, including women and children, were rounded up.

At least 28 irregular migrants were held off the coast of southwestern Mugla province, while 150 who were in preparation of going abroad, were rounded up in northwestern Edirne as well.

In northeastern Artvin, 28 migrants were held in a bus.

In addition, 58 Afghan and Pakistani nationals were rounded up in the eastern Malatya province.

Also, 14 irregular migrants were held in the Bodrum district of Mugla.

All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration offices.

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, when the Syrian civil war began.