Sabri Kesen
28 June 2022•Update: 28 June 2022
MUGLA, Türkiye
Turkish Coast Guard units rescued dozens of irregular migrants Tuesday off western Mugla province following a pushback by Greek authorities.
The Coast Guard Command in Mugla said in a statement that several rescue boats were dispatched to the area after it was learnt that dozens of irregular migrants were struggling in the sea.
Thirty-six of them were saved by Turkish authorities and their boats were pulled towards Turkish territory.
Also, 29 others were rescued off Datca district when a Turkish Coast Guard boat found them.
The irregular migrants were referred to the provincial migration office for due process.
Greece is the main route into the European Union for asylum seekers arriving from Türkiye.
Türkiye and international 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 people, including women and children.
Türkiye has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution in their countries.
It already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, and is taking new security measures on its borders to humanely prevent a fresh influx of migrants.
*Writing by Ali Murat Alhas
