Turkey rescues 158 asylum seekers in Aegean Sea

IZMIR, TURKEY - MARCH 17: Turkey rescued Wednesday (March 17) at least 158 asylum seekers who were pushed back by the Greek Coast Guard into Turkish territorial waters in the Aegean Sea, according to a security source. The Turkish Coast Guard dispatched teams to rescue the asylum seekers stranded off Seferihisar district of Izmir province, said a security source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. They were rescued from eight life-boats and taken to the shore, the source added. In a video showing the moment of rescue, asylum seekers are seen giving applause for the arrival of the teams. “They [Greek teams] left us here and ran away. They took us in the Greek waters and brought us till here,” one of the asylum seekers was recorded as saying. Some six suspects were also arrested while they attempted to illegally leave Turkey, the source said. Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution. Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children. (Footage by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
IZMIR, TURKEY - MARCH 17: Turkey rescued Wednesday (March 17) at least 158 asylum seekers who were pushed back by the Greek Coast Guard into Turkish territorial waters in the Aegean Sea, according to a security source. The Turkish Coast Guard dispatched teams to rescue the asylum seekers stranded off Seferihisar district of Izmir province, said a security source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media. They were rescued from eight life-boats and taken to the shore, the source added. In a video showing the moment of rescue, asylum seekers are seen giving applause for the arrival of the teams. “They [Greek teams] left us here and ran away. They took us in the Greek waters and brought us till here,” one of the asylum seekers was recorded as saying. Some six suspects were also arrested while they attempted to illegally leave Turkey, the source said. Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution. Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children. (Footage by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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DETAILS

Restrictions:
NO SALES IN AZERBAIJAN, TURKEY, MIDDLE EAST AND THE BALKANS.
Editorial #:
1307610689
Collection:
Anadolu
Date created:
17 March, 2021
Upload date:
Licence type:
Rights-ready
Release info:
Not released. More information
Clip length:
00:01:53:05
Location:
Izmir, Turkey
Mastered to:
MPEG-4 8-bit H.264 HD 1920x1080 25p
Source:
Anadolu Agency Video
Object name:
turkey_rescues_158_asylum_seekers_in_aegean_sea