CAIRO: An African migrant was shot dead by Egyptian police on Friday while trying to cross the border into Israel, security and medical sources said. This is the latest killing of an African along the lengthy desert border between Israel and Egypt, where hundreds of Africans have crossed in recent years. Since the beginning of the year, dozens of Africans have been shot by Egyptian border police who are attempting to crackdown on the number of Africans who sneak into the Jewish state. Israel has routinely called on Egypt to bolster its border guards in an effort to end the illegal immigrations into the country. The man, who was shot in the chest and right leg, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Egypt's Rafah hospital, a medical source said. His nationality was not immediately known. A 20-year-old Eritrean was arrested by police in the same incident, as the pair tried to breach barbed wire between the two countries, a security source said. Police ordered the men to stop, opening fire when the migrants failed to do so. Rights groups report that at least 28 migrants were killed at the border last year. Eritreans make up the largest group of migrants attempting to cross into Israel. In Egypt, African refugees often complain of the poor treatment they receive while living in Egypt. Racism and a lack of work opportunities in the country has left many Africans with little recourse save attempt the dangerous journey to Israel, refugees have said. BM
