BITLIS, Turkey 

At least 36 irregular migrants were held in Turkey’s eastern Bitlis province, the local governorate said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Bitlis Governor’s Office said police stopped a suspicious truck in the city center and found the irregular migrants, who had entered Turkey through illegal means.

Three alleged human traffickers were also arrested.

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

It hosts nearly 4 million refugees, including more than 3.6 million Syrians.