Nile cruise ship blaze forces evacuation of 200 tourists

A major blaze broke out aboard the Iberotel Crown Empress on the River Nile, forcing the emergency evacuation of more than 200 tourists, according to initial reports. The fire started Tuesday evening in the ship’s gallery area at around 6:15pm local time and quickly spread through the hull, destroying cabins and sending thick smoke into the air. Crew members activated alarms, moved passengers from lower decks to safety on the upper deck and coordinated evacuations. Some passengers reached safety using the gangway, while others were ferried off by small boats before the vessel was secured near Esna to facilitate the rescue. Witness accounts described panic and confusion as the fire intensified, but officials said there were no reports of injuries or fatalities. Authorities have launched an investigation through the Public Prosecution office to determine the cause of the blaze.