Perilous Times
Egypt: Barge leaks 100 tons of gasoline into Nile
The Associated Press
Saturday, September 11, 2010; 3:23 PM
LUXOR, Egypt -- A barge has leaked some 100 tons of gasoline into the
Nile River in southern Egypt after it became partially submerged while
workers unloaded its cargo.
The vessel docked Saturday in Aswan, about 700 miles (1,100 kilometers)
south of Cairo, when part of the barge sank below the surface and began
spewing gasoline into the river. The leak has since been stopped.
Officials in three southern Egyptian provinces have declared a state of
emergency to contain the spill and to prevent it from spreading down
river.
The barge belongs to the Nile Company for River Transport. Officials
say it was carrying 244 tons of gasoline.
The chief of the Luxor drinking water company urged people to stockpile
water in case the spill reaches the city's water purification
facilities.