Migrant boat capsizes off Egypt, killing at least 20

Published On: September 21, 2016 07:08 PM NPT By: Associated Press


CAIRO, Sept 21: Egyptian authorities say a boat carrying African migrants headed to Europe has capsized off the Mediterranean coast near the city of Alexandria, killing at least 20 people.

Health Ministry official Alaa Osman from Beheira province says that 155 people have been rescued, but that bodies are still being found in the area. He says the migrants were from several African countries.

Egypt's official news agency MENA said the boat had been carrying 600 people.

Thousands of illegal migrants have made the dangerous sea voyage across the Mediterranean in recent years fleeing war and poverty, mostly via lawless Libya. Thousands have drowned.

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