​The migrant group, including 59 Afghan nationals and 1 Pakistani, were nabbed by the local police forces in a minibus, officials said.

The alleged human smuggler, identified by the initials H.T., was arrested in the operation, Turkish officials said, adding that the necessary procedures for the deportation of the migrants have been launched.

Historically, Turkey has been a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants and was a crossroads between Europe and Asia.

Recent regional events have contributed to Turkey increasingly becoming a major destination and transit country for those fleeing conflict, poverty, and disasters.

Turkey hosts one of the largest migrant and refugee populations in the world.

According to the official reports, 113,865 irregular migrants held across the country in 2020.