The Turkish Coast Guard rescued at least 16 asylum seekers whose boats were pushed back by the Greek Coast Guard into Turkish waters in the Aegean, a security source said Monday.
NINE ASYLUM SEEKERS STRANDED ON A DINGHY
A Turkish team was dispatched to the area off Marmaris in the southwestern Mugla province after learning of nine asylum seekers stranded on a dinghy, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Separately, another Turkish Coast Guard team was dispatched to Bodrum in the Mugla province after hearing of seven asylum seekers stranded on a dinghy. Once rescued, the asylum seekers were taken to the provincial migration authority.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Coast Guard held 80 irregular migrants, including women and children, in separate boats, off the coast of Ayvacik in the northwestern Canakkale province Monday.