These migrants had been pushed back by Greek authorities and were found in rubber boats off the coast of Turkey's Izmir and Balikesir provinces.

The rescued individuals were taken to the provincial migration office.

Turkey has historically been a crossroads for migrants traveling between Europe and Asia, and recent regional events have made it a popular destination for those seeking refuge from conflict, poverty, and disasters.

Currently, Turkey is home to over 4 million refugees and asylum-seekers, with more than 3.7 million of them being Syrians under temporary protection.

In 2022, the Turkish coast guard intercepted 285,027 irregular migrants, an increase from 162,000 in 2021 according to official reports. (ILKHA)