CAIRO, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- An Egyptian fishing boat carrying nine sailors has been detained in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea region of Tabuk after mistakenly entering Saudi territorial waters on Oct. 16, Egypt's Foreign Ministry said Monday.
The ministry said it was following the case of the fishing boat Mohamed Abu al-Azaim and its crew, adding that the Egyptian Consulate General in Jeddah had contacted senior Saudi officials, including coast guard and port authorities, to expedite their return to Egypt.
A consular representative had also visited the nine sailors aboard the vessel to check on their conditions and ensure they were receiving necessary care, the statement said.
Egypt will continue coordinating with Saudi authorities to secure their return home as soon as possible, the ministry added.
It urged Egyptian fishermen and fishing boat operators to comply with maritime navigation and fishing regulations and refrain from entering neighboring countries' territorial waters without the required permits to avoid legal consequences and protect their safety. ■
