The General Authority for River Transport in Egypt announced a horrific collision between two tourist cruise ships in the Esna Lock area, south of Luxor Governorate, on Sunday evening, resulting in the death of a foreign tourist.
The Authority explained that the ship “Opera” was traveling from Aswan toward Luxor. Approximately two kilometers after passing through the “Esna Lock,” it was surprised by a sharp maneuver from the ship “Beau Rivage” coming from the opposite direction, in clear violation of navigation rules that grant right-of-way to the vessel traveling with the current.
The accident resulted in a dent in the bow of the “Opera” and the destruction of three cabins on the right side of the “Beau Rivage.” It also caused severe injuries and internal bleeding to a 50-year-old Italian tourist on board, who subsequently passed away in the intensive care unit at Tayeba Specialized Hospital in Esna.
The “River Transport” statement indicated that the license of the “Beau Rivage” captain has been revoked and he has been suspended from work, with the incident referred to the Public Prosecution for investigation. The statement confirmed that no other serious injuries were recorded among the passengers or crew, and the situation was brought under control without any sinking or further catastrophic damage.
According to reports by the RT network, this incident is considered one of the most serious collisions witnessed in the region recently, despite similar minor incidents recorded last October without injuries, highlighting the importance of strict adherence to priority rules in this vital navigation corridor.
The Esna Lock is one of the most important Nile passages linking Luxor and Aswan. Hundreds of tourist ships pass through it annually, carrying thousands of foreign visitors to Pharaonic archaeological sites, especially during the busy winter season.
The General Authority for River Transport emphasizes ensuring navigation safety and imposing deterrent penalties on violators within the framework of protecting Nile tourism, as it is one of the vital pillars of the Egyptian economy.
United News Network – UNN Arabic
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