Turkey rescues 23 irregular migrants in Aegean

Turkey has rescued 23 irregular migrants including children in the Aegean Sea, according to security sources on Monday.

Acting upon an intelligence tip off that there was a dinghy stranded off the coast of Tasburun in the Aydin province, the Turkish Coast Guard launched a search operation and rescued the migrants.

After routine checks, they were referred to the provincial migration authority.

Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross to Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

The country earlier this year opened its gates to irregular migrants seeking to cross to Europe, accusing the EU of failing to keep its promises under a 2016 migrant deal.

Turkey hosts nearly 4 million Syrian refugees, more than any other country in the world.