The Turkish Coast Guard rescued on Friday as many as 174 asylum seekers in the Aegean Sea after they were pushed back by Greek authorities, according to the Coast Guard Command. 

A coast guard team in the seaside town of Ayvalik, northwestern Balikesir province, rescued at least 28 asylum seekers from a rubber boat. They were taken to the command headquarters on Cunda Island.

Separately, a team was dispatched off Kusadasi district in Aydin province after learning that 83 asylum seekers were stranded on two lifeboats. They were later taken to the provincial migration office.

The coast guard also rescued four asylum seekers near Dikili district and 59 others off Foca district in Izmir. After routine checks, they were taken to the provincial migration authority.

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants who want to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkey, which already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any country in the world, is taking new security measures on its borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants./aa