13.09.2021 15:27
Turkey already hosts over 4M refugees, more than any country in world.
At least 84 irregular migrants were held in Turkey over the past day, authorities said on Monday.
According to a statement by the governorate of the eastern Van province, some 71 irregular migrants were found in a vehicle early Sunday during local gendarmerie forces' patrol at a local highway.
The two suspects, including the driver of the vehicle, were arrested by the gendarmerie teams, the statement noted, saying the vehicle only had a 14-seat capacity.
Separately, a total of 13 irregular migrants were also held at the Mediterranean province of Antalya's Manavgat district.
Acting on a tip, local gendarmerie forces found the migrants -- all Iranian nationals -- in a boat at a fishing port in Manavgat.
Two of the Iranian suspects were arrested over alleged human trafficking.
Turkey 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.
Turkey, which already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any country in the world, is taking new security measures on its borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants. -