Border guards managed to foil an attempt at illegal immigration to Italy via the Mediterranean in Beheira governorate, reported the state-owned MENA news agency early Sunday.
According to reports, security forces got a tip that a fishing boat with two crew members was going to transport 172 people illegally to Italy at a price of LE30,000 each.
The 172 were 50 Egyptians, 92 Syrians, 27 Sudanese, a Palestinian, a Chadian and an Eritrean.
According to investigations, five Egyptians forming a ring for illegal immigration were behind the attempt.
Hundreds of Egyptians have been detained while attempting to migrate to Italy over the past few years. A number have drowned in their attempts.
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