DUZCE/AYDIN - Turkish security forces captured 71 illegal immigrants in northwestern province of Duzce and southwestern province of Aydin, sources said on Tuesday.
Sources told the A.A correspondent that acting on a tip-off, Turkish security forces searched a truck on its way from Pakistan to Istanbul in Gumusova town of Duzce and caught 48 illegal immigrants.
Meanwhile, gendarme forces also captured 22 Somalians and one Mauritanian who attempted to sneak into Greek Samos island illegally in Kusadasi town of Aydin province.
Turkey is a route of illegal migration due to its geographical location lying between Asia and Europe like a bridge with its rough mountainous eastern and southeastern borders difficult to control. Illegal immigrants from Middle Eastern, Asian and Far Eastern countries generally use this route to sneak into European countries.
In the West, northwestern Edirne province and some other Aegean provinces are routes for illegal immigrants to cross the border. Particularly Meric River, a natural border between Turkey and Greece, and Aegean provinces which are close to Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea are used by illegal immigrants to go to European countries.
In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in the number of illegal immigrants who were caught by the Turkish security forces who stepped up security measures against illegal migration.
(EÖ-AÖ) 04.05.2004