More than 220 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

By Cansu Dikme

ANKARA

At least 229 undocumented migrants were held in Turkey on Friday, according gendarmerie sources.

Some 101 migrants -- including Afghan, Pakistani and Myanmar nationals -- were rounded up in the Uzumlu district of the eastern Erzincan province when the gendarmerie stopped a bus on the highway.

The bus driver was remanded in custody.

In the western Balikesir province, Coast Guard units apprehended 50 undocumented migrants on an inflatable boat off the coast of Ciplak Island in the Ayvalik district.

Another 42 Syrians, Pakistanis and Afghans were detained in the western Edirne province in the Meric and Uzunkopru districts.

In Canakkale, a northwestern province, the gendarmerie rounded up 34 foreigners in the Ayvacik district.

Afghan and Iranian nationals, including women and children, were apprehended when they attempted to cross illegally into the Greek Lesbos Island.

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

Among migrants held in the course of 2017 in Turkey, most came from Pakistan -- around 15,000 -- followed by Afghans at around 12,000. Syrians totaled about 10,000.

There has been a 60 percent increase in migrant flow since 2016. The number was 31,000 in 2016.