Turkish coast guard save over 500 refugees in 24 hours
by Anadolu Agency
ANKARANov 01, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Anadolu Agency
Nov 01, 2015 12:00 am
The Turkish Coast Guard has rescued 533 refugees and found four dead bodies in the last 24 hours, the Turkish military said Sunday.
The refugees were found aboard boats off Turkey's western coasts of İzmir, Aydın, Muğla, and Çanakkale, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement on its official website.
The provinces, which face Greek islands in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, are prime spots for refugees leaving Turkey for the EU.
At least 3,138 refugees, including the 291 people in the Aegean Sea, have died crossing the Mediterranean Sea so far this year, according to International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to the UN's Refugee Agency, the total number of arrivals in 2015 so far in Europe via the Mediterranean is now over 643,000 people.
The statement also said 371 people were apprehended while they were trying to enter Turkey from Syria. Another 22 people, who were trying to cross from Turkey into Syria, were also apprehended on Saturday.
Fifty-nine people, who were trying to go to Greece through Turkey, were apprehended. Another two were caught trying to cross into Bulgaria.
Keep up to date with what’s happening in Turkey,
it’s region and the world.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.