Tourist Dies in Nile Cruise Collision

A tragic incident occurred on the Nile, where a tourist was killed and several others were injured in a collision between two cruise boats. The force of the crash caused significant damage to the front four cabins of one of the vessels, the Royal Beau Rivage, a three-deck cruise ship.

Denise Ruggeri, a 46-year-old Italian school teacher, was among those who lost their lives. She was on holiday with her husband when the Royal Beau Rivage collided with another boat, the Opera. At the time of the accident, she was reportedly getting ready for dinner. Denise suffered severe injuries, including a punctured lung, and passed away before emergency services arrived.

Other passengers were thrown into the water during the collision but managed to escape with minor injuries. The incident took place on Sunday evening, just after the Royal Beau Rivage had set off on a cruise from Luxor to Aswan, a route that is very popular among tourists.

The area where the collision occurred is known for its high concentration of ancient monuments in Egypt. The incident happened near the river town of Esna, located 55km south of Luxor on the west bank of the Nile. Historically, Esna was a staging post on the camel caravan route between Sudan and Cairo until the early 20th century. Today, it is a destination for visitors interested in the second-century BC Ptolemaic-Roman Temple of Khnum.

Egyptian authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident. There have been reports that the captain of the Royal Beau Rivage performed a dangerous maneuver as he approached one of the two locks at Esna, where cruise boats must queue up before proceeding. According to Egyptian media, the captain's license has been suspended.

The collision occurred around sunset, although visibility was good at the time. There were approximately 70 Italian tourists on board the Royal Beau Rivage, though the nationalities of other passengers were not immediately known.

The Royal Beau Rivage is described as a "modern" cruise boat, featuring 75 cabins, each with a balcony. On board, there is a bar, a restaurant, a gym, and an outdoor pool.

Friends and colleagues of Denise Ruggeri paid tribute to her, highlighting the loss of a young life. Iside Di Martino, the mayor of Cagnano Amiterno, where Denise was from, expressed his grief: “It is dreadful to think of a young life lost like that, at a time when she should have been happy.” He also mentioned that Denise had gone on holiday to admire the beauty of the places she visited.

Denise was known for her work as a teacher in a private infants’ school in the nearby village of Pizzoli. Her father had once served as deputy mayor, and she was well-known in the community.

Antonio Tajani, Italy’s foreign minister and deputy prime minister, stated that Egyptian magistrates had initiated an investigation. “We will see where responsibility lies, but unfortunately, at this point, we can do nothing more than mourn the passing of this lady,” he said.

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