The man, of unknown nationality, was with an Eritrean and two Ethiopians at the frontier south of the Rafah border crossing when police came across them, the official said.

“His three companions heeded the warning shots but he didn’t. He was hit by bullets and died,” the official added.

Egyptian police have killed at least 15 migrants since the start of the year after 28 died at their hands in 2008, according to security services figures.

Human rights organisations have criticised the Egyptian authorities for their hardline policy towards migrants, who often say they want to leave Egypt because of poverty and racism and seek a better life in Israel.

A military court this week sentenced an Egyptian policeman to six months in jail for stealing 4,000 dollars from a migrant arrested in July after having tried to enter Israel illegally.