Dozens of Nigerians believed to be among 600 who died in boat mishap off Egypt's coast

DOZENS of Nigerians are believed to be among 600 African immigrants who recently died off the coast of Egypt when a boat carrying them to Europe capsized in the Mediterranean Sea yesterday.

 

According to the Egyptian military, the mishap happened near the coastal town of Kafr al-Sheikh as the boat was leaving Africa's shores. Around 150 people have been rescued and authorities have retrieved at least 29 bodies so far.

 

Officials have not said where the boat was headed to but it is believed they were travelling to somewhere in southern Europe. Very often, migrants leaving African countries in large numbers for Europe, often in rickety boats on perilous voyages regularly face such problems as their journey's are known to sometimes turn fatal.

 

On Tuesday, the Egyptian military arrested 68 people on a boat trying to make its way to Europe. They were captured off the coast of Matrouh.

 

Last week, the country’s navy also thwarted two attempts by people trying to cross from Egypt to Europe. More than 400 would-be migrants from various nationalities were arrested in that operation.