No fewer than 148 people are estimated to have perished in a boat accident off the coast of Egypt, according to a spokesman for the government. This is the latest in a series of boating accidents, now spanning several years, killing migrants fleeing economic or political hardship for Europe.
This news also follows renewed attention on the human rights challenges confronting migrants worldwide during sessions attached to the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York City this week.
The boat, which sank off the Egyptian coast on Wednesday near the town of Rosetta, was known to have been populated with passengers from Africa, Egypt, and a series of Arabic speaking countries.
According statements by the Egyptian government it has been difficult to know the precise number of passengers but it is believed to have ranged between 300 or 400.
At least 163 people have been rescued according to media reports.
