Turkey rescued 46 asylum seekers, who were pushed back by Greek forces into Turkish territorial waters on August 05, 2020.
In a rescue operation, the Turkish Coast Guard rescued the asylum seekers, who set off for the Greek island of Lesbos, off the coast of Ayvalik district in the northwestern Turkish province of Balikesir.
ASYLUM SEEKERS WERE PUSHED BACK BY GREEK FORCES
They were on board two rubber boats that were pushed back to Turkish territorial waters by the Greek Coast Guard, said security sources on Wednesday.
The asylum seekers, including women and children, were taken to the Turkish shore and given food, drinks, and medical aid.
Earlier this year, Turkey opened its gates for irregular migrants wanting to cross to Europe, accusing the EU of failing to keep its promises under a 2016 migrant deal.
Turkey has decried Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying that in addition to breaking the law, it endangers the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.