UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 3 (Xinhuanet) -- UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan mourned the loss of life from sinking of Egyptian ferry, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Friday.

    In a statement released by the spokesman, Annan said he was deeply saddened to learn of the sinking of the Egyptian ferry, Al Salam Boccaccio 98, in the Red Sea Thursday night.

    The secretary-general sincerely regretted the loss of life due to this tragedy and extended his condolences to the victims and their families, Dujarric observed.

    According to the spokesman, Annan has urged all who are able, to extend their assistance to the Egyptian government in the search for survivors.

    The Egyptian cruiser with over 1,400 people aboard sank in the Red Sea shortly after it left the Saudi port of Dubah at 7:30 p.m. local time (1630 GMT) on Thursday. Enditem