21 Egyptians killed and missing in a boat sinking off Greece

Three Egyptians died when a boat carrying illegal immigrants sank off the coast of the Greek island of Crete a few days ago, and 18 others are still missing, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The ministry explained in a statement on Wednesday that the boat departed “from one of the neighboring countries… carrying fifty illegal immigrants, including 21 Egyptian citizens, 18 of whom are still missing and three have died,” adding that coordination is underway with the Greek authorities to return the bodies of the deceased to Egypt.

Greek state television “Ert” reported that a wooden boat carrying 50 migrants capsized on Saturday during a rescue operation in the Kaloi Limenis marine area off the northern coast of the island of Crete.

The Greek News Agency “ANA” indicated that Sudanese and Egyptians were on board the sinking boat, including minors. According to the latest toll issued by the Greek authorities, the sinking of the boat led to the death of four of its passengers, including a 28-year-old Sudanese woman.