BALIKESIR, Turkey

Turkey on Friday rescued 25 asylum seekers after they were pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greek authorities, security sources said.

Acting on a tip-off, a Turkish coast guard team was dispatched off the coast of Ayvalik, northwestern Balikesir province to rescue the asylum seekers stranded in a plastic boat.

The asylum seekers from different nationalities were taken to the shore and later referred to the Turkish Coast Guard Command for their testimonies.

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

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

*Writing by Merve Berker