Illegal Egyptian immigrants die from heat

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CAIRO, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Security sources said Sunday two illegal Egyptian immigrants died and 18 others were injured from excessive heat after being deported by Libyan authorities.

The Egyptian sources told United Press International the immigrants, trying to sneak into Europe through Libya, were deported by Libyan authorities to the Egyptian border.

Libya, trying to control illegal immigration to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea, recently ordered the expulsion of 200 Egyptian immigrants captured while trying to go to Italy.

Mohammad Abdul Majid, Egypt's consul in Tripoli, said last week Libyan naval guards captured the immigrants while they were being rescued from the sea after their boat sunk.

Another group of Egyptians was arrested while waiting for a boat to take them from the Libyan shores to Italy.

The Egyptian and Libyan governments have been facing growing pressure by the European Union to stop the influx of illegal Egyptian immigrants to Europe through Libya, many of whom have drowned in boats heading to Italy.