CAIRO: The Italian authorities have deported 28 Egyptian illegal migrants who were arrested last week on board of a fishing boat off the coast of Italy, DPA reported Thursday.
Accompanied by 32 security personnel, the deported Egyptians arrived in Cairo airport on board of an Egypt Air flight came from Catania Wednesday.
After being investigated, they said they made a deal with an Egyptian “gang” to facilitate their travel from Alexandria to Italy for sums ranged from 30,000 EGP ($4,000) to 45,000 EGP per person.
As approaching the Italian coat, the boat was seized by a rescue team and the all migrants were escorted to the shore for investigations.
On March 21, Italy deported 13 Egyptians attempted to illegally immigrate at its shores also by a fishing boat.
Italian and Egyptian authorities have foiled many attempts of illegal immigration of asylum seekers, most of whom are Egyptians, Sudanese, Somali, and Syrians.
On June 19, 47 people, including 12 Egyptians, 13 Eritreans, 12 Sudanese, Six Somalis, and four Ethiopians, were arrested by the Egyptian authorities in the Delta’s governorate of Beheira for illegal immigration to Italy.