The construction works on the New Suez Canal came to a halt last weekend after the wall protecting dry basin site partially collapsed due to an overload of dredged material, reported the Suez Canal Authority today.
The head of the authority, Mohab Mamish, said in the statement that the force of a drainage pipe resulted in a water leak of one of the bridges leading to the precipitation basin, adding that there were no casualties or injuries, after rumors were reported that the accident had claimed the lives of hundreds.
According to the statement, some of the equipment was pushed and immersed under the water. Recovery operations are underway with one car already been salvaged.
The news of the accident comes just days after the announcement was made that the first phase of dry dredging works on the New Suez Canal had been completed.
Source: suezcanal.gov