BALIKESIR, Turkey 

Coast Guard units rescued 54 irregular migrants off Balikesir province in western Turkey.

Coast Guard elements were informed that dozens of migrants were stranded on rubber boats off Altinova neighborhood in Balikesir and launched a rescue operation.

The migrants, who were pushed back into Turkey's territorial waters by Greece, were rescued and referred to the Coast Guard Command on the island of Cunda.

*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas