WASHINGTON 

The Turkish Coast Guard announced Monday that it rescued 55 irregular migrants in the Aegean Sea. 

Coast guard units rescued the irregular migrants from a rubber boat off Dikili district in Izmir province.

Türkiye 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.

The country, which already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world, is taking new measures at its borders to prevent a fresh influx of migrants.