175 irregular migrants held in southern Turkey

ANTALYA, Turkey

At least 175 irregular migrants and 11 human smugglers were held in the southern Turkish province of Antalya, security sources said on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, provincial gendarmerie teams, aided by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), rounded up the migrants who were hiding inside trucks in Kemer district before embarking on a journey by sea.

Those held were nationals of Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Palestine, Pakistan, Iran and Egypt. Of the total, 37 were infants and children.

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since the 2011 Syria civil war.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk in Ankara