News   /   Syria

11 refugees drown as boat capsizes off Egypt

Refugees land on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on September 30, 2015 (AFP photo)

Eleven asylum seekers from Syria and Africa have lost their lives as their boat capsized off the Egyptian port of Baltim.

The victims were on their way to Europe when their boat sank on Saturday night, according to security and medical officials.

After the incident, the Egyptian coastguard apprehended 15 survivors, who were identified as Syrians, Egyptian and people of other African nationalities.

In September, the International Migration Organisation said 3,092 people have died since January while attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean.

It said nearly 474,000 people have braved the Mediterranean route for reaching Europe since the start of the year.

The Europe refugee crisis came to the limelight after the body of Aylan Kurdi, a three-year-old Syrian boy, was washed ashore during an unsuccessful journey across the Mediterranean on September 2.

Officer stands above the lifeless body of Aylan Kurdi, three, who died after boats carrying Syrian refugees to Greece capsized, near Bodrum, Turkey, Sept. 2 (AFP photo)

 

The United Nations refugee agency said recently at least 1.4 million refugees will be in Europe by the end of next year. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it predicts the arrival of 700,000 asylum seekers to Europe by the end of this year alone.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku