Turkish police detained 16 irregular migrants hidden inside the trailer of a truck during a routine inspection on the Antakya–Belen highway in the southern province of Hatay, authorities announced on Monday.

The operation was carried out by teams from the Hatay Provincial Police Department after officers noticed suspicious activity and stopped the vehicle for inspection.

Inside the trailer, police discovered the migrants, who were determined to have entered Türkiye illegally. Following standard procedures, the individuals were transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management after undergoing medical examinations.

Two suspects accused of smuggling the migrants were taken into custody at the scene. After processing at the police station, both were referred to court, formally arrested, and subsequently sent to prison.

Türkiye, positioned as a major transit route linking Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, regularly conducts operations targeting migrant-smuggling networks. While large-scale incidents occasionally draw international attention—particularly those involving maritime tragedies or political disputes—smaller land-based interception efforts, such as the Hatay case, typically remain within domestic news coverage.

The interception highlights the continued pressure at Türkiye’s southern borders and the persistence of trafficking routes used to move migrants toward Europe. Turkish authorities reaffirmed their commitment to combating smuggling networks and ensuring border security amid ongoing regional migration challenges. (ILKHA)