Turkish Coast Guard rescues 145 migrants stranded in territorial waters
145 migrants stranded in Turkish territorial waters after being pushed back by Greek authorities have been rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard.
The migrants, who were traveling in rubber boats near the coasts of Izmir, Muğla, and Çanakkale, were safely taken to the provincial migration offices.
Due to its strategic location between Europe and Asia, Türkiye has a historical role as a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants.
Recent regional events have resulted in an increased number of migrants seeking refuge in Türkiye.
Currently, the country hosts over 4 million refugees and asylum-seekers, with more than 3.7 million Syrians under temporary protection.
In 2022, the Turkish coast guard intercepted 285,027 irregular migrants, marking a significant increase from the previous year's figure of 162,000. (ILKHA)