Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hossam Moghazi has said the problem of the capsized phosphate vessel near Qena is almost settled.

There is cooperation among the ministry of water resources and irrigation, the armed forces, and all the competent authorities to solve the problem.

The army has deployed a 1000-ton winch to lift the vessel.

As much as 85 percent of the total phosphate cargo was lifted, he said, adding that hundreds of water sample analyses showed that it was safe for human consumption.

Fish, which is very sensitive to pollution, in the Nile was not at all affected, he said, adding that phosphate does not disintegrate in water except in two cases.

He said that the first case is when water is above 50 degrees centigrade while water in the Nile is 20 degrees centigrade.

The second case is when water is sour which is never the case in the Nile.
Source: MENA