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The asylum seekers, who were rescued off the Aegean coast, were brought ashore before being transferred to the provincial migration office.
According to UN estimates, approximately 96,000 refugees and asylum seekers live in Greece. (AA)
Turkish Coast Guard units have rescued 21 asylum seekers off the western province of Izmir after their boat was pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek authorities.
Crews rushed to the area after receiving reports that there was a group of asylum seekers on a lifeboat, officials said Saturday morning in a statement.
The asylum seekers were first rescued and brought ashore before being transferred to the provincial migration office.
READ MORE: Rights groups urge Pope to take a stand on pushbacks of illegal Greek migrants
Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of turning away asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.
Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers seeking to enter Europe to start a new life, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
It already hosts four million refugees, more than any other country in the world, and is taking new security measures at its borders to humanely prevent a new influx of migrants.
READ MORE: Illegal pushbacks are a ‘de facto border policy’ in Greece
Source: TRTWorld and agencies
