صحافة بلادي صحيفة إلكترونية مغاربية متجددة على مدار الساعة تعنى بشؤون المغرب الجزائر ليبيا موريتانيا تونس
Libya – February 18, 2026
A number of Egyptian families are experiencing the shock of phone calls originating in Libya, during which smugglers demand that they pay large sums of money in exchange for allowing their children to continue irregular migration journeys towards Europe, while directing direct threats in the event of failure to respond.
One of these cases belongs to a young man from Sharkia Governorate who left his village late last year with a group of people from his area, before his family received a call demanding that they pay about 190,000 Egyptian pounds (about 3,500 euros) in exchange for transporting him across the Mediterranean Sea. His relatives reported that they were informed in a threatening tone that failure to pay might expose him to an unknown fate.
According to identical testimonies from other families in the same region, smuggling networks rely on psychological pressure and blackmailing of families, exploiting the desire of young people to immigrate and improve their living conditions. Some families were forced to sell their savings or borrow to secure the required amounts, before later receiving news of tragic drowning incidents off the European coast, including an accident off the Greek island of Crete that resulted in deaths and missing persons, including a number of villagers.
Numbers that reflect the seriousness of the path
According to published data, in 2025, more than 17,000 Egyptians crossed the Mediterranean Sea, which is considered one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. During the same year, 1,328 cases of death or loss of migrants of different nationalities were recorded, according to data issued by Frontex and international organizations.
Reports indicate that the deteriorating economic conditions, including the decline in the value of the currency and the rise in the cost of living, have contributed to the growing desire to emigrate, especially among young people. Since 2022, the local currency has lost a large portion of its value, in parallel with successive increases in the prices of basic commodities and fuel.
Immigration researchers believe that economic factors play a pivotal role in making the decision to leave, especially in light of the limited job opportunities, even among those with advanced degrees.
More dangerous paths
After tightening control on the Egyptian coasts since 2016, a number of those wishing to migrate turned to the western route through Libya, passing through desert areas on journeys described as extremely dangerous. Humanitarian organizations report that some survivors of these paths spoke of serious violations, including arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and forced labor.
In 2024, the European Union signed a partnership agreement with Egypt worth 7.4 billion euros to support economic development and reduce irregular migration flows. However, observers confirm that addressing the phenomenon requires improving living conditions and enhancing the sense of security and stability within the home country.
Between loss and hope
Despite the increasing risks, some stories still end up reaching Europe, where migrants are able to find work opportunities and transfer money to their families. However, the path to this remains fraught with risks, and families pay the price between waiting for news of survival or receiving news of a new tragedy.
The phenomenon of irregular migration remains complex and has multiple factors, including economic pressures, individual dreams, and smuggling networks that exploit the fragility of the situation to achieve illicit gains.
Source:“My press”
