The Turkish Coast Guard rescued 159 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea on Tuesday, including 57 children.
Coast guard units rescued 92 migrants, including 34 children, off Karaburun district of Western Izmir province after Greek authorities pushed them back into Turkish territorial waters.
Another 67 migrants, including 23 children, were saved after two rubber boats were drifting off the coast of Izmir’s Foca district due to engine failure.
They were taken to the provincial migration authorities.
Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.