233 irregular migrants rescued after Greek push back
Migrants found struggling on life, rubber boats off western Turkey
IZMIR/AYDIN, Turkey
Turkish Coast Guard units rescued hundreds of irregular migrants on Tuesday after they were pushed back into the country’s territorial waters by Greek officials.
A total of 158 migrants were rescued off Didim and Kusadasi districts of Aydin province when the coast guard learned they were struggling on rubber and lifeboats.
Three suspected human traffickers were arrested and the irregular migrants were referred to the provincial migration center.
In Izmir province, the Coast Guard Command was briefed about the presence of 56 irregular migrants pushed backed by Greece off Cesme and Dikili districts as well as 19 others in Seferihisar district.
The migrants were rescued by Turkey units and taken to the local migration office.
*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas
