Over 60 undocumented migrants held in western Turkey

By Esber Ayaydin and Bahri Asik

IZMIR, Turkey

The Turkish Coast Guard pulled more than 60 people from the sea between Turkey and Greek islands on Thursday, a security official said.

In Cesme, a district of Izmir province, 42 migrants, including women and children, were rescued from a dinghy heading to Chios, the official said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Meanwhile, 20 Syrians were stopped as they attempted to cross by boat to nearby islands from Didim in Aydin province.

Five people, including a Syrian, were later arrested on suspicion of people smuggling.

Turkey has been a major route for people trying to cross into Europe, especially since the start of the civil war in Syria. Until an agreement with the EU came into force in March last year, hundreds drowned while trying to reach Greece from Turkish shores.