Egypt rescues 45 migrants from a boat that issued a distress call off its coast

September 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Egyptian authorities have announced the rescue of 45 migrants who were on board a boat that issued an alert signal after experiencing problems off the coast of the country, specifically about 180 kilometres from Sallum (northwest), located on the border with Libya.

The Egyptian Armed Forces said in a statement posted on their Facebook account that “the Navy was successful in rescuing the 45 occupants of a boat carrying migrants” after “the General Command of the Armed Forces gave the order to provide support” after receiving a distress call.

“The Navy immediately sent a naval unit from the 3 de Julio base with all the necessary equipment to carry out the rescue and evacuation of the people on board,” they stressed, before specifying that all of them are Egyptian citizens who have already been placed at the disposal of the authorities.

However, there are no details yet about the departure point or where the boat was heading, possibly seeking to reach Europe. Around 1,500 migrants have died or disappeared so far this year while trying to reach European shores by crossing the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, according to data published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).