Horror as 2 Cruise Ships Crash Leaving One Tourist Dead

A tragic collision between two cruise ships on the River Nile left one tourist dead and dozens of others shaken. The incident, which occurred near Luxor on Sunday evening, has left the family of the victim, 47-year-old Italian tourist Denise Ruggeri, devastated.

Ruggeri was in her cabin aboard the Royal Beau Rivage when the ship collided with another vessel, the Opera, around 7 p.m. The crash was described as “extremely violent,” causing significant damage to the Royal Beau Rivage, including the destruction of at least four cabins. Ruggeri, who had been traveling with her husband, fell in her room and suffered severe lung injuries. Despite efforts to rescue her, she passed away shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital in Esna.

There were around 70 to 80 other Italian tourists aboard the Royal Beau Rivage at the time of the collision, but thankfully no further injuries were reported. The Italian Ambassador to Cairo reassured the public, confirming that no other Italians were harmed in the incident.

According to Egypt’s River Transport Authority, the crash was caused by a “sharp maneuver” that violated navigation rules. The captain of the Royal Beau Rivage has had their license suspended, and the incident is now under investigation by the prosecutor’s office.

In the wake of the tragedy, Marco Marsilio, President of the Abruzzo Region in Italy, expressed his condolences, saying, “Our thoughts go first and foremost to her family and loved ones, struck by a sudden and unjust loss.” Marsilio also extended his sympathy to the community of Abruzzo, Ruggeri’s home region.

This incident follows a similar tragedy in October when a tourist cruise ship caught fire while cruising the Nile. The fire on the Iberotel Crown Empress, which broke out in the ship’s galley, quickly spread throughout the vessel, forcing the evacuation of over 200 tourists. Thankfully, no lives were lost in that event.

The cruise industry has also seen other close calls, including a recent rescue by Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Epic. In October, the ship rescued 63 individuals stranded in the Ionian Sea near Greece. The passengers were safely transferred to the Greek authorities after being cared for by the ship’s crew.