Egypt responds to vessel tragedy off Libya, dispatches team for recovery

Dubai: A vessel sank off the Libyan port city of Tobruk, leaving several Egyptian nationals dead and others unaccounted for, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. The tragedy has prompted an urgent response from Cairo.

After receiving initial reports of the disaster, the Egyptian Consulate General in Benghazi dispatched a delegation to Tobruk to coordinate with Libyan authorities, determine the fate of those on board and assist survivors. Several victims have already been identified, according to a statement posted on the ministry’s official Facebook page.

The statement said that the remains of the identified victims are being transferred to Egypt through the land border crossing once verified by family members, while efforts continue to identify and repatriate others. Survivors are receiving consular support and will be returned to Egypt after official investigations conclude.

“The ministry remains in constant contact with the Consulate General in Benghazi to complete all procedures concerning the deceased and to expedite the repatriation of survivors,” the statement read.

The government reiterated its warning to Egyptians about the perils of irregular migration and the dangers of falling prey to human trafficking networks. It added that Egypt remains committed to expanding safe and legal migration pathways through skills training, job creation and agreements with partner countries.

Offering condolences to the families of the victims, the ministry expressed its “deepest sympathy, praying for God’s mercy upon the deceased and strength for their loved ones during this difficult time.”