ASWAN, Egypt: Security and border guards in the Upper Egypt governorate of Aswan prevented an attempt to smuggle 24 Eritreans to Israel through Egypt. The Eritreans entered Egypt illegally through Lake Nasser in the south of Aswan with the help of a smuggling gang. Irrigation workers in Toshka confronted the gang and many of them were injured. Maj. Gen. Ahmed Deef Sakr, assistant minister of interior for Aswan security, has received information about the incident. A team led by Hassan Abbas was formed in order to arrest the gang members. Security forces and gang members clashed near Abu Simbl tourist city and Toshka project. Egyptian security forces arrested the Eritreans, who were sitting in a lorry, but the gang members escaped. The accused were transferred to border guard forces. An Aswan attorney was informed of the incident in order to carry out legal procedures against the Eritreans.
