Turkish coast guards save 194 irregular migrants pushed back by Greece

ANKARA

Türkiye's coast guards saved the lives of 194 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea who were illegally pushed to the Turkish side by Greek forces, the National Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

A Turkish navy drone recorded footage of Greek forces pushing a boat carrying the migrants to the coast of Cesme in Izmir province, the ministry said on Twitter. It added that the situation was immediately reported to the Turkish Coast Guard Command and the migrants were rescued.

Meanwhile, the coast guards saved the lives of 188 others off Urla and Cesme districts between Monday and Tuesday, the service said.

The migrants were moved to the provincial migration office.

Human rights groups and media outlets have frequently reported on illegal pushbacks and other human rights breaches by Greek authorities.

Türkiye and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.