Languages
Page last updated at 17:26 GMT, Monday, 18 January 2010

Flash floods in Egypt and Israel kill seven

A car driving through floodwaters in Israel's Negev desert
Surprise heavy rains have caused flash floods that hit Egypt and Israel

Heavy rains and flash floods have left seven people dead in Egypt and Israel.

Rains washed away mud brick houses in southern Egypt killing two women, and in Israel a woman drowned when her car was caught in a flash flood.

A British tourist was killed when a yacht capsized in bad weather on the Nile, Egyptian police said.

More than a dozen people are still missing in the resort city of Sharm el-Sheik, where one woman was killed and the roof of the airport was damaged.

The holidaymaker, who has not been named, was with three others when their boat overturned in the southern city of Aswan in heavy winds and sudden rain.

Three other tourists, including the man's wife, an Indian and a Canadian tourist survived the capsize, an Egyptian police spokesman said.

Israel temporarily closed its border crossings with Egypt and Jordan due to the heavy rains, and a bridge collapsed near a cargo crossing between Egypt and Israel.

Flooding also wiped out communication lines in Sharm el-Sheik and destroyed two dozen homes in Ras Sudr.

Flash floods overcame dams in northern Sinai, local officials said, and flood waters are approaching the city of al-Arish, killing one man there.

In the Red-sea port of Hurghada a woman drowned when flooding swept her off the main road.

Five Egyptian ports were closed due to the unpredictable weather.



Print Sponsor


SEE ALSO
Country profile: Egypt
03 Aug 11 |  Country profiles

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



FEATURES, VIEWS, ANALYSIS
Can Mexico re-brand itself to promote tourism?
Jeremy Paxman's portrait of the new China
Visiting New York's renowned bridal shop

bbc.co.uk navigation

BBC © 2012

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.

Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific