ANKARA

Türkiye’s Coast Guard saved the lives of 283 irregular migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, authorities said on Tuesday.

The migrants were rescued on Monday night after an emergency call was received from a location some 100 miles south of Kas, a coastal town in southwestern Türkiye, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry.

After the mayday call, all nearby commercial ships were contacted and told to reach the location as soon as possible, while four Turkish Coast Guard boats were simultaneously dispatched.

The Turkish Navy also sent a frigate and corvette to assist in the rescue mission. It also used a drone to track down the migrants’ boat.

The 283 irregular migrants, including women and children, safely boarded a commercial vessel that reached their location, which then headed to Antalya accompanied by Turkish Coast Guard ships.​​​​​​​