Egypt urgently acts to contain oil spill in Lake Nasser

A sunken river barge has caused a significant oil slick on Egypt's Lake Nasser, prompting urgent environmental protection measures. The barge sank to a depth of approximately 15 meters in the High Dam East Port in Aswan Governorate, releasing fuel and oil into the water.

The resulting slick, estimated to be 200 meters long and 100 meters wide, formed in a slush area of the loading port, fortunately away from the main waterway. Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad has ordered immediate action to contain the spill and safeguard water quality in the lake.

Environmental authorities are collecting water samples for laboratory analysis, which have already shown that some quality indicators exceed permissible limits due to the oil and diesel fuel layer on the surface. Environmental Police and the Waterways Department are cooperating on cleanup operations to disperse the slick and mitigate its impact.

Awad stressed the importance of continuous field monitoring and coordination among all relevant authorities. She affirmed that Egypt possesses a comprehensive system for environmental emergencies, relying on rapid response and institutional coordination to protect natural resources and citizens' interests.

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Let no one seek adventure ... If the rights and interests of Türkiye and the Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean are threatened, our response will be very clear and firm.