Turkish Coast Guard teams rescued 29 irregular migrants, including 13 children, from a distressed boat in international waters off the coast of Fethiye on Saturday, officials announced.

The operation unfolded after Coast Guard units located a fiber-hulled rubber boat adrift near the popular tourist district. All 29 individuals aboard were safely retrieved from the vessel.

Authorities also detained two suspected migrant smugglers in connection with the incident, highlighting ongoing efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks operating in the region.

Following the rescue, the migrants—whose nationalities were not immediately disclosed—were brought ashore. After completing initial health and security checks, they were transferred to the Muğla Provincial Directorate of Migration Management for standard administrative processing.

The Aegean Sea remains a active route for irregular migration, prompting frequent patrols by Turkish authorities. The Coast Guard Command reiterated its commitment to preventing unsafe crossings and combating smuggling operations that endanger lives.

This latest rescue underscores the persistent migration challenges in the region, even as Turkey continues regular patrols and interceptions as part of bilateral agreements and national security measures. (ILKHA)