Istanbul, Feb 24 (IANS): Turkish coast guards rescued 28 Afghan migrants whose boat was sinking in the Aegean Sea Sunday.

The migrants, who sailed from Turkey's Ayvacik district, were headed for the Greek island Lesbos when their boat began to fill with water after sailing just over a kilometre from the shore, said a report by the Anatolia news agency, Xinhua reported.

The migrants sent out a distress signal to the Turkish coast guard and were rescued. They were later turned over to a repatriation centre.

Turkey is a major transit country for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia who attempt to reach Europe from the country's western coast. Migrants often face a perilous journey when crossing the sea or borders in their pursuit for a better life.

Last December, at least three migrants of Syrian, Burmese, and Afghan origin died after their boat sank in the Aegean Sea, the Turkish Anadolu news agency reported.

In January, a boat carrying 19 migrants capsized near the Turkish coast of the Aegean Sea, killing one while seven others were reported missing.