200 Syrian Migrants, Turkish Captain Stopped Off Marmaris

Some 200 Syrian migrants and a Turkish captain were caught by coast guard teams in attempt to cross into Greek island of Rhodes, off Turkey's touristic town of Marmaris in Muğla, late on Dec. 24.

A wooden gullet was carrying the group, mostly women and children, "for 4,000 dollars per person" said local reports.

Coast guard teams offered food aid and the migrants went through medical examinations, after they were brought to the shore by coast guard boats.

The detained captain has denied the accusations that he was crossing the group into Greece, illegally.

The Syrian migrants will be sent to a refugee camp in Turkey's border town of Hatay by buses, said officials. - Muğla