Over 200 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By Hanife Erdinc

CANAKKALE, Turkey

At least 232 irregular migrants were held across Turkey, security sources said Wednesday.

Coast guard units held 105 irregular migrants in Ayvacik district of the northwestern province of Canakkale, the sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The migrants, including women and children, from Afghanistan were attempting to cross to Greek Islands via a rubber boat, the sources added.

Separately, some 49 migrants -- among them Syrian and Afghan nationals -- were held during regular patrols at a highway in southern Adana province.

In Ipekyolu district of eastern Van province, 48 migrants were caught at a house by local security units, the security directorate said.

Also, 30 Syrian migrants attempting to illegally cross to Turkey were caught by patrol units along the Syrian border in southern Hatay province's Altinozu district.

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.