Deadly boat sinking on Egypt's Nile
July 23, 2015
There were more than 35 people attending a party on board the passenger boat when it capsized overnight after being hit by a barge near Giza, across the river from the capital, Cairo.
Egypt's Interior Ministry said in a statement early Thursday that at least 15 bodies had been recovered, and that rescue teams were scouring the water for several other people who were believed to be missing. Some local media, however, put the death toll as high as 22.
Authorities managed to rescue six people, and the barge's captain has been arrested.
The local al-Ahram newspaper reported that victims' relatives had gathered near a police station in the district of al-Waraq, where the crash happened, chanting anti-government slogans and demanding action.
Boat accidents are not uncommon on the Nile, where vessels are often poorly maintained and overcrowded with passengers. Traffic has been particularly heavy on the river, especially near Cairo, where Egyptians are celebrating the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
nm/kms (AP, dpa, Reuters)