Rescuers are still taking bodies from the water after a boat carrying about 600 people capsized.

150 people have been recovered.

The Egyptian army says it thwarted an illegal immigration attempt.

The boat was 12 nautical miles off the coast when it sank.

In the city of Rosetta, Egyptian families gathered near the harbour urging authorities to do more in their search and rescue effort for their loved ones who were among the lost.

Local officials say the migrants were from several African countries.

The boat had likely come from Kafr el-Sheik province, further to the east.

EU border agency Frontex says more than 12 000 migrants arrived in Italy from Egypt between January and September, compared to 7 000 in the same period last year.

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