The would-be immigrants -- Pakistanis, Afghans and Bangladeshis -- were found hidden in a shanty house in the industrial suburb of Ikitelli, in the European quarter of Istanbul.

Police also detained an Afghan national and a Turk suspected of organising the illegal journey for the group.

The illegal immigrants, who were planning to sneak into Greece and then continue onto various other European countries, had paid about 7,000 dollars (5,200 euros) a head to the suspected organizers, Anatolia reported.

Turkey is a major route for human-smuggling from Asia into Europe, and illegal immigrants are detained almost on a daily basis.