By ASHRAF SWEILAM, Associated Press

EL-ARISH, Egypt – An Egyptian security official says police have arrested three Africans accused of trying to cross illegally into Israel.

The official says an Ethiopian couple and a Nigerian man were arrested early Monday in a barren area 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to media.

They had minor wounds from trying to leap over a barbed wire fence, he said.

The official says the Ethiopian and Nigerian embassies have been notified.

Dozens of African migrants are arrested each year in Egypt, apparently trying to cross into Israel seeking asylum or jobs.