MUGLA/BALIKESIR, Turkey
The Turkish Coast Guard has rescued 53 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea, after Greek authorities pushed them back into Turkish territorial waters, according to an official statement on Thursday.
Coast guard units saved 40 migrants from a rubber boat near Mugla's Datca and Fethiye districts, while 13 others were rescued off Ayvalik district in Balikesir province, said the Turkish Coast Guard in the statement.
The migrants were later transported to the provincial migration authorities.
Türkiye and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.
*Writing by Merve Berker
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