By Mustafa Yildiz
KAYSERI, Turkey (AA) – At least 293 irregular migrants were held across Turkey over the last two days, security sources said on Thursday.
In central Anatolian province of Kayseri, security units rounded up 152 irregular migrants during regular road patrols over the last two days, said security sources on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.
Among the migrants were Afghan, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals.
In eastern Van province, security units rounded up 43 migrants — Afghan and Pakistan nationals — in Baskale district, while attempting to illegally cross to Turkey from Iran on foot, said another source.
Separately, in the northwestern province of Canakkale's Ayvacik district, the coast guards rounded up 40 Afghan nationals, including women and children, in a rubber boat.
Also, in central Sivas province police units stopped a truck during regular patrols and rounded up six irregular migrants — all were Pakistani nationals. Later, police held five Afghan nationals — who attempted an illegal cross at police patrol point on foot.
Truck driver was arrested at the scene over human trafficking charges.
In northwestern Zonguldak province, police held six Palestinian nationals.
Migrants told security units that they paid $5,000 per person upon the pledge to take them to Italy.
Later, security units at Syria border rounded up 41 irregular migrants in southeastern Hatay province.
All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration offices.
Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.
