According to the governor’s office, the accident took place when the minibus carrying 42 irregular migrants collided with a car near the Yumaklı neighborhood of Muradiye district.

The injured have been taken to hospital, the office said.

An investigation into the accident is underway and two human smugglers have been taken into custody at the behest of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Van, the office added.

Turkey has traditionally been a major transit port for irregular immigrants to enter the European countries.

According to the official reports, 454,662 irregular migrants held across the country in 2019.

ILKHA