Italian authorities have deported 25 Egyptians for illegal residence and immigration offences, Al-Ahram Arabic news website reported on Monday.

They arrived in Cairo by plane from Catania, on Italy's east coast, after being held at a detention camp for illegal immigrants.

According to Cairo Airport officials five of the deportees are wanted for crimes in Egypt.

Hundreds of Egyptians have been detained while attempting to migrate to Italy over the past few years. A number have drowned in the process.