At least 70 irregular migrants held in western Turkey

At least 70 irregular migrants were held in western Turkey, security sources said on Wednesday.

In Turkey’s Aegean province of Izmir, 42 irregular migrants -- including women and children -- were held in Seferihisar district, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The migrants -- all Pakistani nationals -- were trying to cross to Greece via Greek islands in a sailing boat, the source added.

Also in northwestern Canakkale province, 28 migrants -- including Afghan women and children -- were held in security patrols in Ezine district.

All of the migrants were referred to provincial migration offices.

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross into Europe, especially since 2011, when Syria’s civil war began.