Nearly 100 irregular migrants held across Turkey

KIRKLARELI / VAN / MUGLA, Turkey

At least 97 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Saturday, security sources said.

Some 60 irregular migrants -- 53 Afghans, four Pakistanis, two Bangladeshis and a South African -- were held by gendarmerie forces in the Tusba district of the eastern Van province, a source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Also, at least 10 irregular migrants were held by the Turkish Coast Guard in Bodrum city of Mugla province.

Among the rescued irregular migrants were Palestinian and Egyptian nationals.

Also, security forces held 27 migrants -- all Afghan and Iraqi nationals -- in Demirkoy and Kofcaz districts in the northwestern Kirklareli province.

All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration directorates.

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