IZMIR,Turkey 

The Turkish coast guards rescued 67 asylum seekers who were pushed back by Greek coastal authorities into Turkish waters off the Aegean coast, security sources said on Tuesday.

The coast guards were dispatched after 48 asylum seekers called for help off the coast of Foca and Karaburun districts in Turkey’s Izmir province.

Maritime officials also rescued 19 others who were pushed back towards the coast of Kusadasi district in Turkey’s Aydin province by Greece.

They were brought to the port, and transferred to the provincial migration office.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

The country opened its gates earlier this year to asylum seekers seeking to cross into Europe, accusing the EU of failing to keep its promises under a 2016 migrant deal.