15 killed in Egypt ferry sinking, rescue teams search for more victims

Ahram Online , Friday 1 Jan 2016

An unknown number of passengers were onboard the ferry when it sank

Ferry
Rescue underway in the Nile following the sinking of a ferryboat between two villages. Photo: Al-Ahram

At least 15 people were killed Thursday night when a ferryboat they were taking to cross between two villages sank in the River Nile, a security source told state news agency MENA reported.

The source added that two others were injured and that there are no bodies left to recover.

An unknown number of passengers were onboard the ferry when it sank as it was attempting to cross from Kafr El-Sheikh’s Sendion to Beheira’s Derot, Kafr El-Sheik governor El-Sayed Nasr said in media statements.

Nasr added that investigations would reveal if the boat sank because of excess weight on board or because of bad weather conditions.

On Thursday, the country witnessed heavy rains nationwide and cold temperatures that led to several traffic accidents.

Transportation accidents and fatalities, often due to poor maintenance, are not uncommon in Egypt.

Short link: