Five people drowned and 18 others were rescued when their ferry sank as it crossed the River Nile in Egypt’s Nile Delta, according to health ministry official Alaa Othman. 

The ferry sank due to heavy winds, Othman said. 

The boat was carrying passengers from Balshmay village in the governorate of Menoufiya to Koum Sherik in Beheira governorate. 

Nine ambulances headed to the scene as well as security officials and the governor of Menoufiya. 

Othman said that all those killed were Menoufiya residents, and that their bodies have been taken to nearby hospitals in their governorate.