TUNIS, Tunisia 

Tunisia detained 28 Egyptian nationals Thursday who were illegally fishing off the coast of Sfax city, according to the Defense Ministry. 

The ministry said in a statement that coast guard teams intercepted two boats and held the fishermen on board southeast of Kerkennah Island.

It said the fishermen were taken to a naval base in Sfax to initiate legal procedures.

Egyptian officials have yet to comment on the issue.

Earlier, Tunisia also detained 17 Egyptians for illegal fishing.

*Writing by Sena Guler