Photo: Egyptian Foreign Ministry
The ministry stated on Sunday that 508 Egyptians detained in Tripoli between January and the end of April had been released and returned to Egypt in coordination with the Libyan authorities.
The ministry added that another 871 Egyptians detained in Benghazi over involvement in illegal migration cases during the same period had also been freed and repatriated.
The announcement comes as Egypt continues efforts to curb irregular migration and combat human trafficking networks amid recurring migrant boat disasters in the Mediterranean region involving Egyptian nationals.
The foreign ministry said it had also continued monitoring incidents involving the sinking of illegal migration boats carrying Egyptians, repatriating 94 bodies between January and April.
In addition, Egyptian authorities recovered and returned the remains of five Egyptians whose identities were confirmed through DNA testing after their bodies were found off the Tunisian coast, according to the statement.
Egypt has intensified cooperation with neighbouring countries and international partners in recent years to combat illegal migration and dismantle smuggling networks, while repeatedly warning citizens against undertaking dangerous irregular migration journeys.
The ministry renewed its appeal for Egyptians not to fall victim to the “illusion” of illegal migration or engage with human trafficking gangs, stressing the importance of respecting legal entry procedures to neighbouring countries through valid visas and officially documented employment contracts.
The latest figures come amid continued Egyptian efforts to address irregular migration routes through Libya, a key transit point for migrants seeking to cross the Mediterranean to Europe despite years of instability and the proliferation of human-smuggling networks.
Egyptian authorities have repeatedly intensified coordination with Libyan officials to secure the release and deportation of detained nationals and to trace missing migrants. In previous statements,
They said diplomatic efforts in Libya during 2025 helped deport more than 3,000 Egyptians accused of irregular migration and secure the release of more than 1,200 detainees from Libyan prisons.
Egypt has repeatedly warned against irregular migration journeys following recurring Mediterranean boat disasters involving Egyptian nationals and ongoing reports of migrants being detained under harsh conditions in Libya.
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