Turkish coast guard rescues 35 migrants pushed back by Greek forces

The Turkish Coast Guard Command announced Tuesday that it rescued 35 irregular migrants who had been pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek naval forces.

The first incident occurred off the coast of Fethiye in Türkiye’s southwestern province of Mugla, where 25 migrants in a rubber boat were reported to be in distress. The Coast Guard Command dispatched a rescue boat, successfully saving the migrants who had been forced back by Greek forces.

2 human traffickers arrested

In connection with the incident, two suspected human traffickers were arrested. On the other hand, the rescued migrants were taken to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management for processing.

Migrants in rubber boat

In a similar incident, 10 irregular migrants were found in a rubber boat off the coast of Seferihisar in Izmir province. The coast guard teams promptly responded, rescuing the migrants who had also been pushed into Turkish waters by Greek elements.

These migrants were similarly transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after completing the necessary procedures.

Türkiye remains a major transit point for asylum-seekers, particularly those fleeing conflicts and persecution, as they attempt to reach Europe to start new lives.