Cairo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates is following with the utmost attention, in coordination with the authorities in the sister state of Libya, the incident of a boat sinking off the coast of the city of Tobruk, which was carrying a number of Egyptian citizens.

According to State Information Service Egypt, immediately upon receiving information regarding the incident, the Egyptian Consulate General in Benghazi dispatched a delegation to the city of Tobruk, where it promptly began coordinating with the relevant Libyan authorities to ascertain the conditions of the Egyptians who were aboard the boat.

These efforts have led to the identification of a number of bodies, and the necessary procedures have been undertaken to transfer them to the land border crossing after being identified by their relatives in Egypt.

The Consulate continues to coordinate with the Libyan side to complete the procedures for the transfer of other bodies as soon as their identities are verified.

At the same time, the Consulate is monitoring the conditions of a number of survivors in preparation for their repatriation once the ongoing investigations are concluded.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates affirms the continued coordination with the Consulate General in Benghazi to follow up on all procedures related to the transfer of the deceased citizens' bodies and to expedite the return of the survivors to Egypt.

In light of the utmost concern that the Egyptian state accords to protecting its citizens and ensuring their safety, the Foreign Ministry urgently calls on 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.

The Egyptian state also reaffirms its commitment to continuing efforts in providing safe alternatives and lawful opportunities for youth, whether through training and qualification programs or by expanding avenues for regular migration via official, approved channels with partner countries.

The Foreign Ministry extends its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, praying to Almighty God to grant them His mercy and to bestow patience and solace upon their families.