Turkey coast guard prevent 330 migrants from reaching Greek island: report

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ISTANBUL, Aug 19, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Turkish authorities have stopped 330
migrants in northwestern Turkey including Afghans, Syrians and Palestinians
from reaching Europe illegally, the state news agency reported on Sunday.

Turkish coast guard authorities, patrolling the region, carried out seven
operations since Saturday night, the Anadolu news agency reported.

As a result, they seized 330 migrants who attempted to cross into the Greek
island of Lesbos in boats from the Ayvacik district in the Canakkale
province, it said.

Turkey is home to more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees — the highest
number in the world. It is a transit country for migrants risking the
perilous journeys to European Union countries.

A March 2016 deal between Ankara and the EU helped curb the flow of
migrants arriving in Greece.