As many as 72,700 Egyptians have returned home from Libya via Salloum crossing over the past six months, said Marsa Matrouh Security Director General Hesham Lotfy.

In statements on Friday, Lotfy said 304 Egyptian arrived today, adding that 53 of the returnees had illegally travelled to Libya.

The security official ordered the arrival measures of the returnees to be swiftly finalized.

Libya has been witnessing a rising insurgency by different rebel groups and militias and an increasing use of weapons since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011.