Police nab 582 irregular migrants in Istanbul

“582 irregular migrants, including 327 Afghan nationals, 140 Pakistanis, 24 Bangladeshis, 70 Syrians, were held in the Beyoğlu, Fatih, and Eyüp Sultan,” Istanbul provincial police department said in a statement.

The necessary procedures for the deportation of the migrants have been launched, it added.

Historically, Turkey has been a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants and was a crossroads between Europe and Asia.

Recent regional events have contributed to Turkey increasingly becoming a major destination and transit country for those fleeing conflict, poverty, and disasters.

Turkey hosts one of the largest migrant and refugee populations in the world. (ILKHA)