Migrant boat capsizes off Egypt's coast, killing 29

The death toll from Europe's migrant crisis rose once again Wednesday, when a boat crossing from Africa to Europe capsized off the Egyptian coast. The boat was carrying 600 people, which may have exceeded its carrying capacity and caused the boat to sink in the Mediterranean Sea, a senior security official in Egypt's Beheira province told Reuters. "The boat tilted and the migrants fell into the water," the official said.

Thus far, 155 people have been rescued, while at least 29 died in the incident. Officials expect the death toll to rise as the search for bodies continues.

As more and more migrants attempt to cross the Mediterranean Sea, often in overloaded boats manned by "scarcely seaworthy" smugglers, the number of those who have perished during these voyages continues to rise. The Guardian reported "more than 10,000 people have died crossing the sea to Europe since 2014."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.

Sign up

Officials are uncertain of the boat's exact destination, but believe it may have been headed toward Italy. As The Associated Press reported, "more than 12,000 migrants arrived in Italy from Egypt between January and September," as people attempt to escape violence and poverty at home.