Over 170 illegal migrants arrested in Egypt by naval forces

The Egyptian naval forces arrested over 170 illegal migrants near the North Coast on Saturday, Egyptian armed forces spokesperson Mohamed Samir announced.

The migrants were from Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Comoros.

The naval forces were on an inspection mission when they saw the boat and became suspicious.

The migrants and crew were given the needed medical treatment and then referred to “specialised authorities” for legal procedures.

Recently, the Mediterranean Sea has become a gateway to Europe for an increasing number of refugees from the Middle East and Africa, who attempt to flee in large numbers on small, ill-equipped boats.

In March, a boat capsized near the Mediterranean coast of the Nile Delta governorate of Kafr El-Sheikh. Only nine bodies were recovered, two of them identified, while the rest are still missing.

Hundreds of Somalis, as well as others of varied nationalities, have been caught in similar attempts to migrate to Italy over the past few years in search of better work opportunities or fleeing from danger. A number have drowned in the process.