An Italian tourist was killed in a collision between two floating hotel cruise ships in the Esna Lock area, south of Luxor, on Sunday evening.
The General Authority for River Transport announced that the accident occurred while the cruise ship “Opera” was traveling from Aswan to Luxor.
After passing through the Esna Lock by two kilometers, it was blindsided by a sharp maneuver from the ship “Beau Rivage,” which was traveling in the opposite direction from Luxor to Aswan.
This maneuver violated navigation rules, which give priority to the vessel moving with the current.
The accident resulted in damage to the bow of the “Opera” and the destruction of three cabins on the “Beau Rivage.”
One of the passengers, a 50-year-old Italian tourist, suffered severe injuries and bleeding and passed away while being treated at the intensive care unit of the Taiba Specialized Hospital in Esna.
The River Transport Authority statement indicated that the license of the “Beau Rivage” driver was withdrawn and suspended, with the incident being referred to the competent prosecution for investigation.
No other serious injuries were reported among the guests or crew, and the situation was brought under control without any further damage.
The Esna Lock
The Esna Lock is one of the most important navigational passages on the Nile River, connecting Luxor and Aswan.
Hundreds of floating hotels pass through it annually, carrying thousands of foreign tourists visiting Egypt’s ancient sites.
The area experiences heavy traffic, especially during the winter tourist season, necessitating strict adherence to right-of-way rules to prevent accidents.
Similar incidents have occurred in the same area before, such as minor collisions last October without injuries, but this latest incident is the most serious due to the fatality.
The General Authority for River Transport oversees navigation safety and often imposes strict penalties on violators to ensure the safety of Nile tourism, which is a vital pillar of the Egyptian economy.
