The statement said the collision happened as the hotel passed under a bridge in Minya.

The impact caused a crack in the hotel's hull, allowing water to penetrate the first level. The hotel's captain steered it to shore to avoid disrupting river traffic. The crew members then disembarked.

The floating hotel, en route from Cairo to Luxor, was carrying no passengers at the time of the collision, the statement added.

The Ministry’s Central Administration for Hotel Establishments, Shops, and Tourism Activities revealed that the floating hotel's operating licence, which expired in May 2023, has not been renewed.

It added that the floating hotel had been undergoing renovations and maintenance at a workshop in Helwan for the past four months.

After completing the renovations, the hotel's management obtained a permit from the relevant authorities to travel from Cairo to Luxor for a scheduled inspection by the Ministry of Tourism to renew its license before resuming operations on 1 October.

The public prosecution and other relevant authorities launched an investigation into the incident.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has coordinated with the hotel's owner to take the necessary measures.