By Ferdi Uzun
AYDIN, Turkey (AA) – Turkey on Thursday rescued 13 asylum seekers, who were pushed back by Greek coastal authorities into Turkish waters off the Aegean coast.
In a statement, the Turkish Coast Guard said that teams were dispatched off the Kusadasi district of western Aydin province upon the notification that there was a group of stranded asylum seekers on a lifeboat.
After being rescued and routine checks, the asylum seekers — Syrian and Lebanese nationals — were sent to the provincial migration authority.
Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
