Egyptian officials have confirmed seven men died after their boat sank off the Libyan coast. They are the recent casualties in the wave of illegal migrants from Egypt that are taking to the shores in hopes of a better life abroad.
With abject poverty surrounding them people say the young men who set off to the sea were short of choices. As families come to terms with their loss, it is unlikely that the deaths will deter other young men from taking the risky journey.
Al Jazeera's Rawya Rageh reports from the village of Abu Gandeer in Egypt.