Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy

The Environment Ministry will intensify campaigns within the coming few days to put an end to the clamor of Nile boats which is the main reason behind Nile boats' accidents.

Nile boats' captains fail to hear any warning signal as a result of such noise, Environment Minister Khaled Fahmy said.

Fahmy noted that the campaign started two months ago, but Premier Ibrahim Mahlab ordered intensifying efforts in this regard.

He underlined the importance of electronic monitoring of the Nile boats so that the employee monitoring the boats can know the schedule of boats' arrivals and departures, their load and the validity of the boat's license.

Earlier this month, a passenger boat traveling down the Nile near Al Warraq collided with a barge, causing the boat to smash and capsize.

About 45 people died in the accident.

The senior police officer said the boat's driver - who increased the boat's speed in order to transcend a barge - did not hear warning hones of the barge due to the very loud noise on the boat, which was carrying a number of passengers celebrating an engagement ceremony in Warraq district.
Source: MENA