Egypt fishermen detained in Eritrea return home

The 95 Egyptian fishermen detained in Eritrea since January yesterday returned to Egypt, local media reported.

The Youm7 newspaper quoted unnamed sources at Cairo International Airport as saying the 95 Egyptian fishermen arrived on board EgyptAir flight 3052 from Eritrea.

The sources added that the quarantine department at the airport tested the fishermen for COVID-19, and all security measures will be taken because they do not have passports.

On 15 April, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said, during a parliamentary hearing, that his country is making great efforts to secure the return of the detained fishermen through permanent contacts with the Eritrean embassy in Cairo and communications with the Eritrean Foreign Minister, Osman Saleh.

Last January, Eritrean authorities detained 95 Egyptians onboard six fishing boats for fishing illegally in Eritrean territorial waters.

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