Deaths, injuries as ferry boat sinks in northern Egypt

Egyptian security forces and health workers search for migrants who are lost at sea in Egypt on September 27th 2016 [İbrahim Ramadan/Anadolu Agency]

A ferry boat has sunk on Thursday near the Kom Hamada Youth Centre in the Beheira Governorate, northern Egypt, leading to deaths and injuries among passengers.

Egyptian rescue teams continue their efforts to recover the sunken cars onboard the ferry, amid expectations of a high number of victims.

Hours earlier, the body of one of the victims was recovered, and the search for others is ongoing. Injured passengers who were rescued immediately following the accident have been taken to hospital.

Head of Beheira Security Directorate Major General Mohammed Wali had received notification of the sinking of a ferry transporting passengers and cars between the Beheira and Menoufia governorates.

According to eyewitnesses, the boat captain and his assistant jumped instantly after it sank. Around seven people are still missing in the accident, according to local media.

The Egyptian authorities have not yet announced the reason for the sinking of the ferry.

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