1770 illegal immigrants captured in Turkey on way to Europe

Turkish security forces captured at least 1,770 illegal immigrants trying to reach Europe via Turkey over the past week, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Monday.

The Aegean Sea remains the main route for illegal immigrants. According to figures released by the Turkish coast guard, 960 illegal immigrants attempted to sneak into Greece across the sea with inflatable boats this month.

According to the figures, the total number of refugees captured on the Aegean Sea since the beginning of this year is 5,022.

The data also showed that in 2019, 60,544 illegal immigrants were intercepted on the Aegean Sea, up from 25,398 in 2018.

As the weather conditions worsen in winter, refugees have also been trying to cross to Europe via land routes in Turkey's northwestern province of Edirne, neighboring both Greece and Bulgaria, and Kirklareli province, neighboring Bulgaria.