Egypt's armed forces foiled an attempt by 43 individuals of various nationaltiies to illegally migrate, the military spokesman said in a statement Friday.

Army spokesman Tamer El-Refai said the navy intercepted a fishing boat trying to leave Egyptian territorial waters. Some 280,000 narcotic pills were also seized.

In recent years, thousands of refugees and migrants have attempted to cross the Mediterranean. Hundreds have been arrested in Egypt for attempting to migrate illegally.

Cairo has focused on the migration issue in recent years, working with European nations to tackle the problem.

Following the sinking of migrant boat in September 2016, with hundreds dead, a law was passed criminalising unauthorised migration and human trafficking.