One tourist has died and dozens more were shaken after two cruise ships collided on the River Nile in Egypt on Sunday evening. The crash took place around 7:00 p.m. near the historic city of Luxor and involved the Royal Beau Rivage and the Opera, two vessels carrying a mix of international tourists.
According to local reports, the impact between the ships was described as “extremely violent,” destroying at least four cabins aboard the Royal Beau Rivage. Italian passenger Denise Ruggeri, 47, was inside one of those cabins at the time of the crash. She was traveling with her husband when she fell during the collision and suffered serious injuries, including trauma to her lungs.
Ruggeri was transported to Esna Hospital for emergency treatment but sadly passed away shortly after arriving. Her death has been confirmed by both Egyptian authorities and Italian diplomatic sources.
Sul Nilo una crociera si è trasformata in tragedia: Denise Ruggeri, 47 anni, originaria di L’Aquila, è morta per le ferite riportate dopo che la nave a bordo della quale viaggiava, la Royal Beau Rivage, si è scontrata con un’altra imbarcazione nella zona di Luxor, nel sud… pic.twitter.com/XvbsyoP3em
— La Stampa (@LaStampa) December 22, 2025
Italian Ambassador to Cairo, Agostino Palese, stated that while the incident was tragic, no other Italian tourists were reported injured. “At the moment, there is no news of other Italians being involved; they are all safe,” he said in a statement.
Between 70 and 80 other Italian citizens were reportedly on board the Royal Beau Rivage when the crash occurred. Egyptian authorities, including the River Transport Authority, are currently investigating the cause. Early findings point to a “sharp maneuver” and what they called a violation of navigation rules. As a result, the captain of the Royal Beau Rivage has had his license suspended, and the local prosecutor’s office has opened a formal investigation into the incident.
Officials have not publicly released further details on the maneuver or who was at fault, but the investigation is ongoing.
Marco Marsilio, President of Italy’s Abruzzo Region, shared his condolences to Ruggeri’s family, saying, “In such a time of great grief, our thoughts go first and foremost to her family and loved ones, struck by a sudden and unjust loss.”
Tragedia sul Nilo.Una cittadina italiana ha perso la vita in seguito a un incidente tra 2 navi da crociera avvenuto a Esna,50 km da Luxor.Sulla nave Royal Beau Rivage si trovavano tra i 70 e gli 80 cittadini italiani. La turista italiana viaggiava insieme al marito. pic.twitter.com/5hfX6fNSqm
— Franco Scarsella (@FrancoScarsell2) December 21, 2025
The accident is raising concerns about safety on tourist cruises in Egypt, especially as this is not the first serious incident in recent months. Just two months ago, another tourist cruise ship — the Iberotel Crown Empress — caught fire while sailing between Luxor and Edfu. Video from the October blaze showed flames exploding from cabin windows as the ship’s emergency systems were activated and over 200 passengers evacuated. Authorities later said the fire started in the ship’s galley but quickly spread throughout the vessel. Fortunately, that incident resulted in no reported injuries or deaths.
Cruise safety has also been a focus in other parts of the world. In October, a Norwegian Cruise Line ship rescued 63 individuals who had been stranded in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of Greece. The rescued passengers, whose identities have not been made public, were brought aboard the Norwegian Epic where they received food, medical care, and other essentials. The cruise line said it was working with Greek authorities and followed proper procedures in bringing the individuals to shore in Kalamata.
The recent series of incidents — ranging from fires to rescues to fatal collisions — has reminded many travelers and tour operators of the importance of safety on the water, especially in areas with heavy tourist traffic like the Nile.
The Royal Beau Rivage and the Opera will remain docked while the investigation continues. Egyptian officials have not said when, or if, the ships will be cleared to resume operations. As of now, cruise travel along the Nile continues, but with heightened awareness from both passengers and regulators.
