Egypt's embassy in Tunis is making contacts with Tunisian authorities to secure the release of an Egyptian fishing boat held in Sfax, 270 km southeast of Tunis, Ambassador Nabil Habashi said on Friday.

"The boat with 16 fishermen on board did not obey warnings issued by Tunisian authorities against fishing in Tunisia's territorial waters," Habashi told MENA.

Tunisian navy forces fired warning shots and the fishermen surrendered, he said, adding that the ship was taken to a Tunisian navy base.

The Tunisian authorities only held the fishing boat in Sfax after its crew members were questioned, he said, stressing that the crew members were well-treated.

Source: MENA