Egypt Daily News – Egyptian authorities discovered the bodies of 10 individuals, believed to be illegal migrants, on Saturday evening the second day of Eid al-Adha on the shores of Al-Aziziya, west of the city of Barrani in Matrouh Governorate.
According to Egyptian medical sources, the victims included one Libyan national, one Sudanese, and eight Egyptians from the southern governorate of Asyut. The bodies were transferred to Matrouh General Hospital and placed under the custody of the public prosecution, which has launched an investigation to confirm their identities and determine the exact causes of death.
Suspected Origin of the Boat
Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims were aboard a boat that likely departed from the eastern coast of Libya, between the towns of Musaid and Derna, a region notorious for human trafficking and smuggling activity.
Authorities suspect that the migrants were attempting to reach Europe via the Mediterranean Sea, a journey often made on unseaworthy and overcrowded vessels operated by trafficking networks. Egyptian sources believe that the use of such unsafe boats may have played a significant role in the tragedy.
Investigations Underway
Medical authorities promptly alerted security agencies upon the discovery of the bodies. Search and investigation teams were quickly assembled in coordination with the Health Directorate to determine the cause of death and estimate the time of drowning.
The Matrouh Governorate has also called for intensified awareness campaigns, especially in governorates like Asyut that are known to have high numbers of emigrants seeking to migrate illegally. These campaigns aim to warn young people about the dangers and high fatality risk associated with irregular migration.
The Deadly Route Across the Mediterranean
illegal migration via the Mediterranean remains one of the most dangerous routes for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Smugglers frequently take advantage of vulnerable populations, offering perilous sea crossings in poorly maintained boats.
The three main migration routes across the Mediterranean are:
- Central Mediterranean Route: from North Africa (mainly Libya and Tunisia) to Italy and Malta.
- Western Mediterranean Route: from Morocco and Algeria to Spain.
- Eastern Mediterranean Route: from Turkey to Greece.
These routes have claimed thousands of lives due to overloaded boats, lack of life-saving equipment, poor navigation, and limited rescue operations.
Egypt’s Efforts to Curb Irregular Migration
Egyptian authorities continue to tackle the issue through increased coastal surveillance, tougher penalties for traffickers, and awareness campaigns in high-risk communities. However, the challenge persists due to ongoing economic hardship, limited opportunities, and the growing demand for migration, particularly among youth seeking a better future abroad.
This incident serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of illegal migration and the urgent need for regional cooperation and humanitarian approaches to address its root causes.
