Turkish coast guard rescues 42 irregular migrants pushed back by Greek authorities
The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 42 irregular migrants who were forcibly pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek authorities.
The migrants were rescued off the coast of northern Izmir and Muğla provinces after Turkish teams received information about their presence on rubber boats.
The migrants, who were from various countries, were taken to a local immigration detention center.
Türkiye has repeatedly condemned Greece's practice of pushing back irregular migrants, calling it a violation of international law and humanitarian values.
Human rights groups have also criticized Greece's practice, saying it puts the lives of vulnerable migrants at risk.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard apprehended 136 irregular migrants off the coasts of Izmir, Muğla and Aydın provinces. The migrants were brought ashore and referred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
The Turkish Coast Guard has been actively patrolling the Aegean Sea in recent months in response to the increasing number of irregular migrants trying to cross from Türkiye to Greece. The Coast Guard has rescued thousands of irregular migrants and apprehended thousands more. (ILKHA)