100 refugees, illegal migrants captured in northwest Turkey


A total of 100 refugees and undocumented migrants were captured in northwest Turkey's Edirne province as they were planning to unlawfully enter European countries, media sources reported Tuesday.

The group, consisting of Syrian, Iraqi, Pakistani, Eritrean, and South Korean nationals, were held in Edirne's Meriç, Ipsala and Lalapaşa districts, which are all bordering Greece or Bulgaria, said a security source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions over speaking to the media.

The foreign nationals were referred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after registration procedures at the gendarmerie command, the source added.

Turkey is a popular route for many illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern and Asian countries. Hundreds of migrants smuggled into the country are captured every year near the borders in western Turkey, or its Aegean provinces.