The death toll from a migrant boat disaster off Egypt's coast climbed to at least 133 on Friday (September 23rd) as rescuers recovered more bodies from the Mediterranean, AFP reported.
Survivors have said up to 450 migrants were on board the overcrowded fishing vessel that was heading to Italy from Egypt when it keeled over off the port city of Rosetta on Wednesday.
In a Friday statement, Egypt's Health Ministry put the toll at 133, with some Egyptian media outlets reporting a higher number.
The military said it had rescued 163 survivors. Recovery attempts were continuing.
The International Organisation for Migration said most of those rescued were Egyptians but also included Sudanese, Eritreans, a Syrian and an Ethiopian.
Authorities on Thursday arrested four suspected people traffickers over the tragedy.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said Friday that more than 4,600 non-Egyptians had been arrested this year trying to depart from Egypt's northern coast.
More than 10,000 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean to Europe since 2014, according to the UN.
