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Egyptian rescue teams have rescued 54 migrants, including Bangladeshis and Sudanese nationals, after a boat carrying them broke down off the Mediterranean coast of Matrouh Governorate in northwestern Egypt.
The group also included an Egyptian national from Minya Governorate.
According to Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, the incident occurred on Saturday (September 19) in the sea between Nagila and Sidi Barrani on the western coast of Matrouh.
Local sources said the migrants were travelling aboard a rubber boat carrying people from Asia and Africa when the vessel broke down in the middle of the Mediterranean, leaving them in serious danger.
A ship flying the flag of an Asian country, which was nearby, sent an emergency signal after spotting the vessel. Egyptian rescuers responded to the alert and reached the boat, rescuing all 54 people.
According to local media reports, the rescued migrants included nationals of Bangladesh and Sudan, along with an Egyptian citizen from Minya.
During preliminary questioning, the migrants reportedly told investigators that they had set out from the Libyan coast by sea in an attempt to reach Europe. Their intended destination was reportedly one of the European countries across the Mediterranean.
Another local report said the boat was believed to have departed from Libya and may have been headed for Greece, although authorities have yet to confirm the intended destination.
Following the rescue, the 54 migrants were taken into the custody of the relevant Egyptian authorities. Their identities, nationalities and circumstances surrounding their journey from Libya are being verified. They are expected to be handed over to the relevant prosecution authorities after the necessary legal procedures and investigation.
Meanwhile, sources at the Bangladesh Embassy in Cairo said several Bangladeshi migrants had also been rescued and taken into police custody in the coastal city of Damietta in recent days for allegedly attempting to reach Europe by sea.
The embassy is in contact with the relevant Egyptian authorities to verify their identities, gather information about the legal proceedings and facilitate their repatriation to Bangladesh.
Incidents involving migrants attempting to reach Europe through Libya and across the Mediterranean are not uncommon along the Matrouh coast, particularly around Nagila, Sidi Barrani and western Matrouh, which have been used as routes for irregular migration.
The latest rescue comes amid growing concern over the risks faced by Bangladeshi migrants attempting the same journey. Last month, a boat carrying 38 Bangladeshi migrants reportedly broke down while travelling from Libya towards Greece, leaving them stranded in the Mediterranean for around 11 days.
At least nine of them died after running out of adequate food and water during the prolonged ordeal. The 29 survivors were taken to hospital for treatment and later placed in temporary custody at a Matrouh police detention facility.
The Bangladesh Embassy has been coordinating with Egyptian authorities to facilitate their return to Bangladesh.
The rescue of the 54 migrants has averted another potential loss of life, while highlighting once again the dangers of attempting to reach Europe through irregular and perilous Mediterranean routes.