Over 150 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Hanife Erdinc and Burak Akay

CANAKKALE, Turkey

More than 150 undocumented migrants were held in western Turkey, security sources said on Thursday.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to media restrictions said 67 of the migrants, including women and children, on an inflatable boat were rounded up off Ayvacik district of Canakkale province.

The migrants -- Afghan, Eritrean, Syrian and Nepalese nationals -- were illegally attempting to cross into Greece’s Lesbos Island, the sources added.

All the migrants were later referred to the provincial migration authorities.

In northwestern Edirne province, 77 more migrants were rounded up as they attempted to illegally cross into neighboring countries, security sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The migrants came from Syria, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Palestine, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria, the sources added.

More than 7 undocumented migrants, who were planning to illegally go to Europe, were caught in northwestern Kirklareli province, security sources said. 

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, the beginning of Syria's civil war.

Among migrants held in 2017 in Turkey, the majority came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totaled about 10,000.

There has been a 60 percent increase in migrant flow since 2016. The number was 31,000 in 2016.