Egypt's Foreign Ministry says dozens of Egyptians believed to be illegal migrants are missing in the eastern Libyan desert.

The ministry spokesman, Badr Abdel-Atti, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the first word on the Egyptians came from a shepherd who had spotted the group earlier this week in the desert and notified Libyan authorities.

Abdel-Atti says the Egyptians were seen southwest of the Libyan city of Tobruk, which is close to the border with Egypt.

He says Libyan authorities sent helicopters to search for the Egyptians and found one alive and two bodies. Abdel-Atti says the two likely died of dehydration.

The incident comes less than two weeks of abduction of dozens of Egyptian workers by gunmen in the area. They were freed after negotiations.