Over 220 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

EDİRNE / VAN – Anadolu Agency

Turkish security forces on Nov. 7 held a total of 222 undocumented migrants in the eastern and northwestern provinces of Van and Edirne, according to security officials.

In Van, gendarmerie forces rounded up 151 foreign nationals who entered Turkey illegally, said a security official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Another 71 migrants were also held in Edirne, as they were trying to illegally enter Greece and Bulgaria, another security official said.

The migrants, including Afghan, Syrian, Palestinian and Egyptian nationals, were found in the Orhaniye, Yenikadın, Bosna and Sarayakpınar villages of Edirne.

On Nov. 6, the Turkish Interior Ministry said that 3,670 undocumented migrants, including 943 in Turkish waters, were held while 135 suspects who allegedly aided them were detained during last week.

At least 166 undocumented migrants were held in the Central Anatolian province of Sivas and the Black Sea province of Kastamonu, while two bodies were recovered from the Aegean Sea on Nov. 3, according to a police source.