69 irregular migrants held in eastern Turkey

​The migrant group, including 39 Afghan, 24 Bangladeshi and 6 Pakistani nationals, were nabbed by the local police forces in a truck on the Bitlis-Diyarbakır Highway, according to the statement.

An alleged human smuggler was arrested in the operation, the statement said.

The statement added that the necessary procedures for the deportation of irregular migrants have been initiated.

Turkey has traditionally been a major transit port for irregular immigrants to enter the European countries.

According to the official reports, 454,662 irregular migrants held across the country in 2019. (ILKHA)