Our News

Hurghada Oil Spill

Dear all, We are proud to inform you that the enormous efforts that have been exerted by different agencies to contain the impacts of the oils spill were very successful. More than 90 percent of the beaches north of Hurghada were cleaned and the manual collection method has proven to be very successful. Most of the hotels and resorts have informed us that their beaches are back to normal. More efforts are expected regarding the clean up of the northern islands of Um El Luhaimat and Tawila which are located around 30 miles north of Hurghada. Serious measures have to be taken as soon as possible concerning the oil operations in the north of Hurghada, to prevent similar occurrences to be happening in the future. What the oil industry considers a minor leakage could actually be destructive for both the tourism industry and our natural resources. Red Sea coral reefs and associated ecosystems, which are one of the main assets of the Egyptian natural heritage and sustain a major national industry, are already under considerable stress due to climate change and various other pressure factors, and a major oil spill in the region will have devastating consequences. The Egyptian Parliament has an ongoing interrogation for both the Ministers of environment and petroleum, who we will definitely see very soon in court. Hepca would like to thank the Red Sea Governor and all the Red Sea community for their very responsible reaction and efforts.