In a statement on Friday, the Embassy of Egypt in Athens said it was following up with the concerned Greek authorities around the clock to confirm the identity and number of Egyptian victims.

It also said it was following up on the status of survivors who have been identified to provide them with the necessary services.

"Egypt reaffirms its condemnation, in the strongest terms, of the continued exploitation by organized gangs [of] those who are looking for better lives and work opportunities, exposing them to the risk of death," the statement added.

The statement pointed to Egypt’s decisive measures over the past years to put in place laws deterring the crime of irregular migration and anyone involved in organizing or facilitating it.

This comes in addition to the measures that have been taken to control the borders to prevent the exit of irregular migrants across the Egyptian coast

"The Egyptian government once again extends its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families and relatives of the victims of this painful accident, calling upon God the Almighty to grant them patience and solace."

Egypt has stepped up its efforts to deal with irregular migration since 2016, when it launched its first national strategy addressing the issue.

The strategy embraces a multi-pronged approach. It encompasses Law 82/2016, which sets out stiff penalties criminalising all forms of migrant smuggling. The law was toughened in 2022, raising fines and punishing those who fail to report the crime.

However, it also seeks to address the root causes of the issue, comprising initiatives to boost household incomes and provide employment in governorates that are the largest sources of irregular migrants.

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