Cairo, Egypt – (African Boulevard News) – The residents of the small Egyptian village of El-Beheira are in mourning after a migrant boat capsized and sank off the coast of Greece, leaving hundreds dead.
The boat was carrying as many as 750 migrants, including women and children. Instead of docking in Italy, the boat capsized and sank in one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean Sea. Only 104 of the passengers survived.
The tragedy has left many in the village devastated. “We have lost so many young people in our village,” said Ahmed Mahmoud, a local resident. “They were just trying to find a better life. It’s heartbreaking.”
The families of the victims are struggling to come to terms with their loss. “We can’t believe that our loved ones are gone,” said Ibrahim Abdelaziz, whose brother was on the boat. “We keep hoping that they will come back, but we know that they won’t.”
The incident has once again highlighted the dangers that migrants face when trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 1,100 people have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean so far in 2023.
The IOM has called on countries to do more to address the root causes of migration and to provide safe and legal channels for migrants to reach their destinations. “We need to create more opportunities for people in countries like Egypt so that they don’t feel like they have to risk their lives to find a better life,” said IOM spokesperson, Safa Msehli.
The tragedy has also sparked calls for better search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. “It’s important that we have more resources to rescue people who are in danger at sea,” said Msehli. “We can’t just let people die.”
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Egyptian government has pledged to do more to support the families of the victims. “We are deeply saddened by this terrible loss of life,” said a spokesperson for the government. “We will do everything in our power to support the families of the victims during this difficult time.”
The tragedy has left the small village of El-Beheira reeling. But it has also highlighted the need for action to address the root causes of migration and to ensure that those who do make the perilous journey across the Mediterranean Sea are given the support and protection they need.
