Barge leaks more than 100 tons of gasoline into Nile River in south Egypt

Egypt: Barge leaks 100 tons of gasoline into Nile

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.