Dushanbe, 19.03.2016. (NIAT “Khovar”). — Turkish authorities detained 1,700 migrants trying to reach the Greek island of Lesbos on March 18, in a major operation involving coastguard ships and helicopters, as European leaders clinched an agreement with Ankara aimed at halting illegal migration.

According to local media, a total of 1,734 migrants and 16 smugglers were detained in the operation, launched at several locations near İzmir’s Dikili district on Turkey’s Aegean coast.

Authorities were still working to ascertain the nationalities of those arrested.