More than 85 Afghan irregular migrants nabbed in eastern Turkey

A total of 86 irregular migrants were held in eastern Turkey after they entered the country illegally, a security source said on Wednesday.

In a routine highway check, Gendarmerie forces in Van province nabbed a total of 86 irregular migrants, all Afghan nationals, travelling in two minibuses.

Two suspects who had previously been detained in a separate incident were arrested for organizing illegal crossings.

Turkey has been a main route for irregular migrants trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011 when the Syrian civil war began.