Middle East News
African migrant shot, another injured on Israeli-Egyptian border
Sep 1, 2009, 11:36 GMT
Rafah, Egypt - Egyptian police killed an unidentified African migrant and wounded another Tuesday as they were attempting to enter Israel illegally, a security source said.
An Egyptian police patrol spotted 13 migrants attempting to cross the border into Israel. Police ordered them to stop, and opened fire when they failed to do so, the source added.
The nationality of the man who died was not immediately known because he had no identity papers on him. The injured Eritrean woman was transferred to Rafah Hospital.
The other 11 migrants - ten Ethiopians and one Eritrean - are being held in Al-Arish prison.
The death of the African man brings the number of migrants shot while trying to cross into Israel to 40 in the past 18 months.
Most African migrants in Egypt seek asylum or work in Israel.
Last year, Egyptian police arrested more than 480 illegal immigrants. The largest group was from Eritrea.
The Rafah border crossing is on the 250-kilometre Egyptian-Israeli frontier.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Middle East
- 1. Jerusalem prelate tells Arab Spring youth to have confidence
- 2. More than 100 killed in Syria ahead of ceasefire deadline
- 3. At least 43 killed in Syria, despite UN criticism
- 4. 19 killed in Syria as ceasefire deadline approaches
- 5. Pilgrims flock to Jerusalem for Easter, Passover
Older Talkback
