Türkiye says 11 irregular migrants illegally pushed back by Greece, 3 found dead

IZMIR, Türkiye

Turkish Coast Guard units in the Aegean Izmir province on Monday rescued eight asylum seekers illegally pushed back by Greek forces, and found three others dead, said an official statement.

Acting on a tip that a group of asylum seekers landed on Karaada, an island off the coast of Izmir's Cesme district, the Coast Guard Command quickly went to the area and rescued eight irregular migrants while the body of one washed up on shore, said a coast guard statement.

Two missing irregular migrants were also found dead in the sea after a search and rescue operation by Turkish teams.

The irregular migrants told Turkish Coast Guard teams that 11 migrants who were handcuffed and had no lifejackets were thrown into the sea by Greek forces after they crossed to the Greek island of Sakiz (Chios).

Meanwhile, in Bodrum district of southwestern Mugla province, Turkish Coast Guard units rescued three irregular migrants who were reportedly pushed back by Greece.

The migrants, who said they were beaten by Greek forces, were taken to nearby hospitals.

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

Türkiye and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.