Environment Minister Khaled Fahmi said Thursday's oil leakage into the River Nile from a steam power station in the Upper Egypt governorate of Assiut is under control and all precautionary measures have been taken.

In statements Saturday, he said the station was established in 1966 and was due to be mothballed in 2011.

A crisis management commission was formed under Assiut Governor Yasser el Desouqi, he said.

Eleven drinking water stations were closed as a precautionary measure, he said, noting that artesian water stations were operated to cater for people's need of water in addition to water-loaded trucks sending water to needy areas.

The crisis is transparently handled, he said, noting water samples show that pollution levels are receding.

Source: MENA