Over 80 Syrians rescued off Turkish Mediterranean coast

Ankara  :  A total of 84 Syrian refugees have been rescued from an overloaded boat off Turkey's Mediterranean province of Mersin, state-run Anadolu Agency reported on Saturday.

The overloaded boat carrying 84 Syrians, including women and children, was stranded off Silifke district of Mersin when it ran into engine trouble on Friday, said a statement by Mersin Governor's office.

The refugees were rescued by Turkish Coast Guard and transferred to safety in boats, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkey has been a main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of people have made the short but perilous journey across the Mediterranean and Aegean to reach Europe.

The UN migration agency says some 192 migrants deaths have been recorded in Mediterranean in first 11 days of 2018.

The UN appealed for more resettlement places and other safe alternatives to protect refugees.