231 undocumented migrants captured in Turkey’s northwest, east

EDİRNE – Anadolu Agency

At least 231 undocumented migrants have been captured in northwestern and eastern Turkey, a security source said on March 15.

In the northwestern province of Edirne, 73 migrants attempted to cross the border into Bulgaria, said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Border guards along with gendarmerie forces conducted searches in the İpsala district.

Among the migrants were Pakistani and Afghan nationals, who were later taken to a provincial migration authority, the source added.

Separately, in the eastern province of Erzurum, 158 undocumented Afghan and Pakistani migrants were captured at four different locations while they were walking in groups.

The migrants who illegally entered Turkey from Iran will be deported.

 On March 1, some 48 undocumented migrants, all Afghan, were detained on the Eastern Express, a popular train service linking Ankara with the eastern province of Kars.

The detentions came only one day after 40 undocumented migrants travelling on the same line were captured by the gendarmerie forces.

Turkey has in recent years become the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of a civil war in Syria.