Arzu Kaya / Istanbul, Nov 9 () - Some 71 migrants mostly of Afghan origin were left at the Başıbüyük Forest located in Maltepe district of İstanbul late at night, while seeking to cross into France illegally through the support of human smugglers. The group included toddlers and children.

The group said that they have arrived to province of Van after having fled Afghanistan and Iraq and then have found themselves in a large forest, rather than France.

Meanwhile, the human smugglers have been paid up to 2,000 liras for fleeing to France, migrants told security officers at the Foreigners’ Department.

The Financial and Organized Crime Investigation Branch Prosecutor has launched an extensive investigation, after the security officers' operation.