The irregular migrants, who were detected in rubber boats by the Coast Guard Mobile Radar (MORAD-11), were trying to cross into Greece, according to the statement.

The migrants were referred to the provincial migration office for processing.

Turkey hosts one of the largest migrant and refugee populations in the world with 4 million refugees and asylum-seekers in the country, including over 3.7 million Syrians under temporary protection and over 330,000 international protection status holders and asylum-seekers of other nationalities.

According to the official reports, the Turkish coast guard intercepted 21473 irregular migrants in 2021, up from 19368 in 2020. (ILKHA)