By Iyad Nabolsi and Rania Abu Shamala
ISTANBUL (AA) - Severe winds and rough seas led to the closure Wednesday of Hurghada and El-Arish seaports in Egypt, according to official statements.
The Red Sea Ports Authority’s media center announced the closure of Hurghada Port in the Red Sea Governorate due to adverse weather conditions. Wind speeds ranged between 24-30 knots, with wave heights reaching 3-4 meters, making sea conditions extremely turbulent.
All maritime navigation and activities for both small and large vessels were halted to ensure safety.
The El-Arish Port Authority announced in a statement the closure of El-Arish Port, located on the Mediterranean coast in North Sinai Governorate, to all inbound and outbound vessel traffic due to unstable weather conditions in the region.
The governorate is experiencing strong winds and high waves, which could pose a risk to maritime navigation, according to local media.