Video: Floating hotel that capsized in Luxor has been inactive since 2010: Tourism Ministry

CAIRO – 30 August 2023: A floating tourist hotel that capsized and partially sank in Upper Egypt’s Luxor on Tuesday has been inactive since 2010, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said.

“This [floating] hotel did not sink and, in the first place, did not sail as it has completely stopped operation since 2010,” the ministry said in a statement.

Since then, the ship’s tourism license has not been renewed, the ministry said, affirming that the ship has not received any Egyptian or foreign guests for more than 13 years.

The floating hotel capsized while staying at the marina in preparation for the start of inspections by relevant authorities ahead of operation, the ministry added.

The ship hit the bottom of the marina but did not completely sink, according to the ministry.

The floating hotel sank in the Nile River in Luxor yesterday, reportedly causing two people to die.

The body of the first victim, 21, was moved to El Karnak International Hospital, while search is sill ongoing for the body of the second 30-year-old victim.