The Turkish Coast Guard carried out a series of successful rescue operations off the coasts of Dikili, Çeşme, and Menderes districts in İzmir, saving 104 irregular migrants, including dozens of women and children, from life-threatening situations at sea.

According to a statement issued by the Turkish Coast Guard Command, the operations were launched after reports of multiple migrant boats in distress in the Aegean Sea — a route frequently used by migrants attempting to reach Europe.

In the first incident, a rubber boat carrying 32 migrants, including 14 children, suffered engine failure off the coast of Dikili. Upon receiving the distress signal, Coast Guard teams swiftly deployed rescue vessels to the area, bringing all individuals safely ashore.

A second operation took place off the coast of Çeşme, where Coast Guard crews intercepted another rubber boat carrying 34 irregular migrants, among them three children.

During the operation, one person was taken into custody on suspicion of human smuggling.

Authorities said the suspect was later transferred to the Gendarmerie Command for further investigation.

In a third incident off the coast of Menderes, Coast Guard teams rescued 38 irregular migrants, including 17 children, from another overcrowded boat. All rescued individuals were brought to safety and given medical checks.

Following standard procedures, the migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management for registration and processing.

The Aegean Sea remains one of the world’s most perilous migration routes, where thousands risk their lives each year to reach European shores.

Turkish authorities have repeatedly called for stronger international cooperation to combat human smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants fleeing war, poverty, and persecution.

The Turkish Coast Guard Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining 24-hour patrols and rapid response operations, emphasizing that efforts to prevent irregular migration and human trafficking “continue without interruption.” (ILKHA)