At least 54 irregular migrants held across Turkey

By Ozgun Tiran

KIRKLARELI, Turkey

A total of 54 irregular migrants were held across Turkey on Saturday, according to security sources.

The sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said police forces detained 33 irregular migrants in western Kirklareli province.

The migrants -- Afghan, Iraqi, Iranian and Pakistani nationals -- were allegedly preparing to illegally cross to Europe, the sources said.

Separately, in eastern Erzincan province, 21 irregular migrants were detained by gendarmerie forces, the sources said.

The sources added that 19 of the migrants were Afghans and two were Pakistanis.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.

Some 265,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.

The irregular migrants were mostly Afghan, Pakistani, Syrian and Iraqi nationals.

*Kemal Ozdemir contributed from Erzincan, Turkey.