The Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM), affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior of the government appointed by the House of Representatives, announced on Thursday that 52 Egyptian migrants had been apprehended in the Al-Kuweifiya area of Benghazi before they could travel to Europe on “death boats,” noting that their ages ranged from 12 to 25.

It explained on its Facebook page that these migrants were arrested during a security operation in which a migrant shelter in the Al-Kuweifiya area was raided, “based on accurate information received by the Investigation and Arrest Office”

Locating the Egyptian Migrants

It explained that “the Investigation and Arrest Office was tasked with verifying the accuracy of the information received, whereupon specialized teams began monitoring and investigation operations, and at 8:00 a.m., the location was precisely identified using advanced technical means, including aerial photography (drones), in an operation reflecting high readiness and advanced field efficiency.”

The department added: “A targeted raid was carried out on the site, revealing it to be a warehouse specifically equipped to house illegal migrants. The operation resulted in the apprehension of 52 Egyptian migrants, all of whom were young people, ranging in age from 12 years old (the youngest) to 25 years old (the oldest), in a scene that reflects the gravity of exploiting minors and subjecting them to perilous journeys.”

The migrants were preparing to travel to Europe

It confirmed that the Egyptian migrants were preparing to embark on an illegal migration journey across the Libyan coast toward Europe aboard what are known as “death boats,” but “the vigilance of security personnel caught them in the act, saving them from an unknown fate and certain tragedy.”

The department also confirmed that legal procedures regarding them have been completed, and they have been transferred to the Greater Benghazi Shelter Center to ensure they are treated in accordance with humanitarian and legal standards.