Two Palestinian-Syrians were shot dead on Tuesday 17th September after Egyptian coastguards opened fire on a boat of over 200 refugees, most of them from Syria’s Palestinian population.
Several others were injured and the rest of the passengers were imprisoned in Karmuz prison in Alexandria.
Coastguards opened fire on the boat as it left from Abu Qeer port in Alexandria, heading towards Italy.
The two casualties were Fadwa Taha, a 50-year-old woman, who was travelling with her children and grandchildren, and Amr Delol, aged 30, who was accompanied by his children and pregnant wife.
The treatment of Syrians and Palestinian-Syrians in Egypt has deteriorated since July 8, when the new government ruled that Syrians must obtain a visa before entering the country. According to media reports, between July and September 143 Syrians were arrested, 58 of whom were deported, while an additional 75 Palestinian-Syrians have been arrested and deported.
However, refugees held in Karmuz prison say some 500 Palestinian-Syrians were being held there even before Tuesday’s incident, after being arrested while trying to flee Egypt by boat.
However, refugees held in Karmuz prison say some 500 Palestinian-Syrians were being held there even before Tuesday’s incident, after being arrested while trying to flee Egypt by boat.
Here is a video report (in Arabic) about the incident from al-Quds:
Please also see images attached.
This press release was written by friends and family of the Palestinian community in Syria. The information was taken from media reports, activists and contacts on the ground.
