Gas ship run aground over corals in Red Sea did not leak pollutants: ministry

CAIRO - 14 April 2024: The Liberian gas ship that had run aground in the Red Sea did not leak any pollutants into the water, according to a Monday statement by the Ministry of Environment. 

The ship continues to be seized by the Egyptian authorities and environmental inspections at the site of the accident are also ongoing to assess the damage to coral reefs caused by the ship in Gulf of Aqaba.

The Department of Natural Reserves in South Sinai pays a great deal of attention to preserving the unique coral reefs in the area, being a component of the eco-tourism industry in Sharm El-Sheikh.

Coral reefs in Gulf of Aqaba expand for hundreds of kilometres. Affected corals will be subject to specialized environmental monitoring programs and studies to measure efficiency recovery rates and rehabilitation, if necessary.