The ministry urged Egyptian fishermen and fishing vessel operators to comply with maritime navigation and fishing regulations

CAIRO, Oct 26 (MENA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates is closely following the detention of the Egyptian fishing boat Mohamed Abu El-Azaim in the Red Sea off Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region after it inadvertently entered Saudi territorial waters on October 16.

The ministry said on Monday that the Consulate General of Egypt in Jeddah had held intensive talks with senior Saudi officials, particularly the Coast Guard and port authorities, to expedite the boat and its crew’s return to Egypt. The consulate also sent a representative to visit the nine Egyptian sailors aboard the vessel to check on their conditions and ensure they were receiving the necessary care. Efforts and contacts with the Saudi side are continuing to secure their return as soon as possible.

Comply with maritime navigation and fishing regulations.

The ministry urged Egyptian fishermen and fishing vessel operators to comply with maritime navigation and fishing regulations and avoid entering neighboring countries’ territorial waters without the required permits to prevent legal consequences and ensure their safety and interests. (MENA)

The circumstances surrounding the detention of the Egyptian fishing vessel "Mohamed Abou El-Azayem

Within the framework of the role played by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Expatriate Egyptians in safeguarding the interests of Egyptian citizens abroad, the Ministry is closely monitoring the circumstances surrounding the detention of the Egyptian fishing vessel "Mohamed Abou El-Azayem" in the Tabuk region of the Red Sea, following its mistaken entry into Saudi territorial waters on October 16, 2026.

Related:18 Egyptians missing and 3 others dead in the sinking of an illegal immigration boat - Details

Intensive contacts with senior officials in the  Saudi authorities,

​In this context, the Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Jeddah has conducted intensive contacts with senior officials in the relevant Saudi authorities, among them the Coast Guard and port authorities, to follow up on the situation and work towards swiftly finalizing the procedures for the return of the vessel and its crew to Egypt. Furthermore, the Consulate dispatched a representative to visit the nine Egyptian sailors aboard the vessel to check on their conditions and ensure they are receiving the necessary care. The ministry said it is continuing efforts and contacts with Saudi authorities to secure their return as soon as possible

Related: Rescue of the crew of an Egyptian boat that sank in the Red Sea

Not to cross the territorial waters of neighboring countries 

​The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Egypt International Cooperation, and Expatriate Egyptians urges all fishermen and workers on Egyptian fishing vessels to strictly adhere to the rules and laws regulating maritime navigation and fishing, and not to cross the territorial waters of neighboring countries without obtaining the required permits, to avoid legal accountability and to preserve their safety and interests.

Agencies

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