Egyptian shot dead in the Suez Canal

A 28-year-old Egyptian man was killed in the Suez Canal on March 24th by gunfire from a United States Navy-contracted ship, stirring anger among many Egyptians against the Egyptian and US governments. According to US officials, a ship chartered by the US Navy was approached by several boats as it prepared to pass through the Suez Canal on the night of the 24th, and responded by calling out a warning to turn away via bullhorn. When one of the ships continued to approach, several warning shots were fired about 20-30 yards in front of the boat. US officials had initially claimed that there were no casualties, but later claimed that the death was the accidental result of the warning shots. The victim, a licensed cigarettes and antiques vendor named Muhammad Fouad Afifi, was buried the next day. US officials say an investigation of the incident has been launched.