Egypt's cratering economy drives many to risky migrant route

A man sits in front of his shop waiting for customers at Mit Suhayl village, the hometown of several Egyptian migrants who died after a boat capsized close to Greece shores in June, Sharqia governorate, Egypt, August 17, 2023. REUTERS/Fatma Fahmy

MIT SUHAYL, Egypt (Reuters) - Waleed el-Degwy found his plumbing skills no longer earned enough for his family in Egypt's northern Nile Delta region, so he crossed the border to Libya where he boarded an old, overcrowded trawler bound for Europe.

In June, a few miles off the Greek coast, the trawler sank, drowning hundreds of those on board, among them Egyptians who have made the crossing in growing numbers as Egypt's economy has cratered. A few people survived but Degwy was among the many on board who have disappeared without a trace.