Turkey: 16 irregular migrants rescued in Aegean

CANAKKALE, Turkey

Sixteen irregular migrants trying to get to the Greek island of Lesbos were rescued in the Aegean Sea by Turkish Coast Guard units, security sources said Tuesday.

After the migrants left Turkish shores to cross over to European territory, their vessel encountered difficulties, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media,

Despite their distress, Greek officers abandoned them in Turkish territorial waters, said the sources.

Upon learning of their plight, Turkish Coast Guard units stepped into action and rescued the migrants, who were then referred to the provincial migration office in the Ayvacik district of the Canakkale province.