38 irregular migrants held in northwest Turkey

DUZCE, Turkey

At least 38 irregular migrants were held in Turkey’s northwestern Duzce province, said security sources on Friday.

Acting on tip, provincial gendarmerie and coast guard teams in the Akcakoca district held a group of migrants, including women and children, who were preparing to sail to Romania by boat, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Two alleged human traffickers were also arrested, the source added.

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, more than any other country in the world.

* Writing by Ahmet Gencturk​​​​​​​