Qena govenorate has closed the Nile Corniche on Sunday evening in preparation for lifting a barge that sank days ago in River Nile in Qena with 500 tons of phosphate on board.

The barge will to be lifted by a giant crane affiliated to the Armed Forces.

The army officer supervising the operation of lifting the barge denied access of journalists at the scene without having permission from the Morale Affairs of the Armed Forces.