Two Nile river ferries collided near the historic town of Luxor on Tuesday night, leaving two Egyptians confirmed dead and up to 20 missing, said police reports cited by Reuters.
The boats were transporting passengers across the river when they crashed into each other. One ferry, carrying about 30 people, sank. The other made it safely to shore.
Eleven people were rescued on Tuesday and the bodies of two men were recovered on Wednesday, the sources said. Rescue operations were still under way.
Police officials were not available to speak on the record when contacted by the agency.
Initial police investigations pinned the cause of the accident on heavy traffic between the two banks of the Nile on the last day of the local religious festival of Sidi Abul Haggag Luxory.
Egypt has recently drawn up an emergency plan designed to upgrade rescue services and facilities, and minimize damage caused by accidents and catastrophes.
Minister of Health Ismail Sallam was quoted by Al Ahram daily on Thursday as saying that 2,138 ambulances had been added to the country’s fleet, including a number with ICU units.
The minister added that the number of fatalities nationwide due to accidents was sinking – Albawaba.com
