ISTANBUL — Turkey's interior ministry said that 123 migrants being held at a repatriation center in Istanbul have fled in the chaos that ensued after a fire broke out.

The ministry said in a statement that Saturday's fire was set by some of the migrants.

All rooms were vacated, and the inmates were brought to an assembly area, from where 123 people fled during the chaos.

Turkish authorities have detained 20 runaways and are searching for the rest.

An investigation has been launched into the employees who allowed flammable materials in the center.