Migrants Pushed Back by Greece Rescued in the Aegean Sea
Irregular migrants in two separate groups, who were pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek elements off the coast of İzmir, were rescued by Coast Guard teams.
A total of 57 irregular migrants in a rubber boat and a life raft, who were pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek elements off the coasts of Çeşme and Menderes districts in İzmir, were successfully rescued alive from the sea by the Turkish Coast Guard teams.
Rescue Operation off Çeşme
The incident took place in the morning hours of September 4 off the coast of Çeşme district in İzmir. Upon receiving information that irregular migrants were in a rubber boat in the area, the Coast Guard Command took action.
The assigned Coast Guard boat safely rescued and brought ashore 30 irregular migrants inside the rubber boat, which was determined to have been pushed into Turkish territorial waters by Greek elements.
Second Intervention off Menderes
At noon on the same day, a report was received that a group of migrants was in a life raft at sea off the coast of Menderes district. Upon the report, Coast Guard ships and boats were dispatched to the region.
Another 27 irregular migrants in the life raft, who were determined to have been pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek elements, were rescued through the intervention of the teams.
Nationalities and Status of Rescued Migrants
It was determined that the total of 57 irregular migrants rescued by the teams consisted of citizens of different countries. The individuals within the group were identified as coming from various African and Middle Eastern countries.
Official records showed that 37 of the rescued persons were of Yemeni nationality, 9 of Somali, 8 of Sudanese, 2 of Chadian, and 1 of Ethiopian.
Handed Over to the Directorate of Migration Management for Proceedings
Health checks were performed on the irregular migrants brought ashore by the Coast Guard teams. Having completed the necessary health screenings, the foreign nationals were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management for legal proceedings.