Topping this year's crime and accident files are those involving illegal immigrants. Overcrowded vessels carrying desperate Egyptian youths capsized in November off the Italian coast killing 26 people and in December off the Turkish coast, claiming the lives of seven of the 40 Egyptians on board. The tragedy triggered a government crackdown on human traffickers who were arrested following severe criticism of the Interior Ministry for not adopting stricter border surveillance measures. But voices also rose against the regrettable standard of living, the poverty and unemployment that led these youths to their death.The despair has even led illegal immigrants to seek greener pastures in Israel. This was the subject of a full-fledged report published in Al Ahram daily drawing attention to the dangers of Egyptian immigration to the Jewish state. The case of 11-year-old Hend Mohamed who became a mother after allegedly being raped by 21-year-old Mohamed Sami, a tuk-tuk driver also took the nation by storm, highlighting both issues of violence against women and pedophilia. Hend, from Qalyubia governorate, claimed she was on her way her to a local youth club to pick up her younger brother when Sami threatened her with a knife, dragged her to a deserted area and raped her. He threatened to kill her if she told anyone what had happened. Terrified, she kept silent until five months later, when she discovered she was pregnant.Accidental fires and water cuts were also at the forefront of the year's misfortunes. In July, residents of Borollus on the Nile Delta took to the streets blocking the highway to protest against the shortage of drinking water that resulted in the death of many animals and the dehydration of scores of thirsty residents. Many wondered how this could happen in the country of the Nile blaming it on government indifference. Cairo too was afflicted with major water cuts including one in Maadi which took place when a water pipe connecting a major water station in Fustat to Bastateen, New Maadi, Zahraa Al Maadi and Muqatam suddenly burst, flooding Hadyaek El Maadi metro station. The accident also flooded nearby shops and threatened to submerge the electricity cables. Maadi residents went without water for three days until repairs were completed.Maadi also had its share of large fires, for Mogamaa El Ahram, a commercial compound near the Maadi library, was gutted when a fire broke out in May. No fatalities were reported as the fire started late at night when most of the shops were closed. Rumors of arson abounded as many suspected the fire was intentionally set to clear the area near the library and replace the dilapidated compound with greenery.The year ended on a bad note when at least 13 people drowned in a ferry accident on the first day of Eid Al-Fitr in the small village of Bani Hassan, Minya. Passengers had been trying to get on the ferry when a ramp linking it to the dock collapsed.
