Egypt urges continued Greek support in repatriating victims of migrant boat tragedy

CAIRO - 24 December 2025: Egypt expressed its hope that Greek authorities will continue providing the necessary support to return the bodies of Egyptian citizens who died in a recent migrant boat sinking south of the Greek island of Crete, which claimed 14 lives.

The statement came during a phone call between Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, as part of ongoing talks to strengthen strategic relations and discuss regional developments.

The Egyptian minister emphasized Cairo’s commitment to addressing the issue of illegal migration and continuing coordination with Greece to implement the agreement on the seasonal employment of Egyptian workers.

The tragedy dates back to early December when a boat carrying 34 irregular migrants from various countries capsized off Crete. The Greek coastguard recovered at least 17 bodies, while the rest remain missing.

The fatalities include at least 14 Egyptians, while 13 others from Egypt are missing, according to figures provided by the Egyptian Embassy in Athens on December 15.

The embassy said this week that the repatriation of the 14 victims was scheduled to begin on Tuesday after expediting measures in coordination with Greek authorities.

Only two survivors have been reported so far, both Egyptian nationals, who were taken to a hospital on Crete.

The survivors told authorities that the boat was carrying 34 people from Egypt, South Sudan and Sudan when it departed Tobruk, Libya, on the night of December 1.

They said the vessel developed engine trouble the following day.

In the wake of the incident, Egypt’s foreign ministry renewed its warning against illegal migration, urging citizens not to fall prey to smuggling networks and to pursue lawful channels of travel to avoid such tragedies.

The ministry expressed its condolences to the families of those who died.