The Armed Forces equipment has purged the site of the vessel which capsized in Qena and was carrying 500 tons of phosphate, said Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy.

About 90 percent of the sunken phosphate shipment was sucked, the minister added while inspecting the site.

He further said that efforts are underway to remove the sunken barge through air pillows.

A huge crane from Cairo governorate will pull out the barge to a safe place, he said.

Samples of water in the area where the vessel capsized are continuously being taken for examination.

All samples have shown normal quality of water and were free of pollutants.

The ship capsized after colliding with the foundations of the city's Dandara Bridge on Tuesday.
Source: MENA