58 migrants rescued in Aegean by Turkey

The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 58 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea late Saturday after they were illegally pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek authorities.

Coast guard units found 45 irregular migrants in a rubber boat off the coast of Seferihisar district in western Izmir province in one operation.

Thirteen were also saved by coast guard units off the coast of Dikili district in the province in a separate mission.

The migrants were taken to the provincial migration authority for regular procedures.

Turkey and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants seeking to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.