The Aegean Sea, where Turkey is littoral along with Greece, is both heaven and hell for countless migrants from war-torn, underdeveloped countries. Almost every day, especially in summer, dozens, sometimes hundreds, try to make it to the Greek islands, a gateway to their ultimate destination: EU countries with jobs and asylum options.Figures indicate that the number of illegal immigrants attempting to reach the Greek islands after departing Turkish soil were 13,165 people in the first six months of 2015, far higher than the migrants captured in the Aegean overall in 2014. In total, 12,884 migrants were nabbed in 529 operations throughout last year, almost a 100 percent increase from 2013.The substantial surge in the number may be attributed to more efficient operations of the Turkish coast guard to "rescue" migrants who brave bad weather, often sinking the boats and risk their lives crammed in overloaded dinghies that usually end up at the bottom of the sea shortly after setting sail. Yet, it is also believed that the aggravated conflict in Syria also contributed to the influx of migrants, especially in the spring where the weather is relatively warmer compared to the harsh winter.Coast Guard figures show the majority of migrants are citizens of Syria, Myanmar and Afghanistan, three countries threatened by deteriorating security and economic instability. Although Turkey became the final destination for those from Asian and African countries in the recent years due to its economic growth, it still remains a major transit hub for migrants seeking to reach developed European countries.Other than the Aegean Sea, illegal immigrants prefer two cities bordering with Greece and Bulgaria in northwestern Turkey where they either travel aboard small boats through Meriç (Evros) River, on foot or by hiding in trucks. Still, Turkish towns on the coast of the Aegean Sea are the most favored way to cross into Europe due to their proximity to the Greek islands. Statistics show nearly 90 percent of migrants heading to Europe via Turkey prefer the Aegean Sea. Most migrants board rubber boats for a quick travel to the islands which lie as close as five miles to the Turkish coast. Speedboats and larger boats are also used for illegal migration. On Monday, two migrants were caught aboard a jet ski as they were heading to the island of Kos.As a matter of fact, the Turkish Coast Guard rescues migrants rather than intercepting them as they are either abandoned in the middle of the sea by smugglers they paid a large sum of money, or face certain death when their boats capsize due to overcrowding and bad weather. Still, not all of them are lucky enough to be rescued. Six Syrian migrants were killed last week when their boat capsized off the coast of the Turkish town of Bodrum.