Several Egyptians still unaccounted for after rescue operation near Crete.

Egypt said Wednesday that 18 of its citizens remain missing after a migrant boat capsized last week off the Greek island of Crete, killing four people.

The wooden vessel, carrying 50 people including four minors, was reported to Greece's coast guard late Friday. Greek authorities directed a commercial ship to assist in the rescue.

Greek public broadcaster ERT said the accident happened when passengers attempted to climb ladders onto the commercial vessel, causing the wooden boat to capsize.

Egypt’s foreign ministry confirmed that 21 Egyptians were on board. Three have been found dead, while the rest remain missing.

The body of a 28-year-old Sudanese woman was also recovered, according to the Greek coast guard. Twenty migrants were rescued by the commercial vessel.

Greek authorities arrested two Sudanese men suspected of people smuggling.

They are expected to appear in court Wednesday, local media Creta24 reported. The migrant boat is believed to have departed from Libya.

Migrants frequently attempt the dangerous journey from Libya to Crete, a key entry point into the European Union. Last year, more than 17,000 Egyptians reached Europe via the Mediterranean, making them the top African group and second-largest global group of irregular migrants.

Many originate from impoverished towns in Egypt’s Nile Delta and face arbitrary detention, torture, sexual abuse, and forced labor in Libya. Families are often extorted for ransom by smugglers to secure the migrants’ release.

CBI News reports that Egypt’s foreign ministry urged citizens to exercise extreme caution and warned against illegal immigration networks. Authorities said they are coordinating the repatriation of the deceased.