U.S. Officials Express Regret For Death Of Egyptian In Suez Canal Shooting

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - U.S. 5th Fleet officials on Wednesday expressed regret for the death of an Egyptian citizen, who was apparently hit by warning shots fired by security men aboard a U.S. Navy-chartered vessel in the Suez Canal on Monday night.

"We express our deepest sympathies to the family of the deceased," said Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff, commander of the fleet. "We are greatly saddened by events that apparently resulted in this accidental death. This situation is tragic, and we will do our utmost to help take care of the family of the deceased."

Cosgriff said the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet Command, through the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, is coordinating with Egyptian and Suez Canal authorities investigating the incident.

An embarked U.S. security team on board the Navy's Military Sealift Command-chartered ship Global Patriot fired warning shots at a small boat approaching the ship as it was preparing to transit the Suez Canal.

Killed was Mohammed Fouad while his two companions were injured when their boat approached the Global Patriot to sell merchandise.