File Photo: Shipwreck of an overcrowded boat of migrants is seen off the Libyan coast. AFP
On Thursday, 18 migrants lost their lives when their boat sank off the coast of Tobruk, confirmed the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The foreign ministry stated that the Egyptian Consulate General in Benghazi dispatched a delegation to the city of Tobruk immediately upon receiving information regarding the incident.
The consulated took procedures to transport the bodies of victims who were identified via photos by relatives to the border crossing between Egypt and Libya.
The consulate is also coordinating with the Libyan side to complete the procedures for transferring other bodies once identified.
Moreover, it is monitoring the conditions of several survivors in preparation for their repatriation once Libyan investigations are concluded.
The foreign ministry urged all citizens to refrain from resorting to irregular migration routes due to the grave dangers they entail, as well as the risk of exploitation by human trafficking networks.
"Egypt is committed to providing safe alternatives and lawful opportunities for youth, whether through training or qualification programmes or by expanding avenues for regular migration via official channels with partner countries," the ministry affirmed.
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