A TEACHER on a cruise with her husband tragically died after the ship collided with another cruise vessel.
The violent impact caused Denise Ruggeri, 47, to fall inside her cabin, where she suffered a serious lung injury.
She was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition but later died in the intensive care unit.
Four cabins on the MS Royal Beau Rivage were destroyed in the collision on the Nile, with several other passengers thrown overboard on impact.
The cause of the tragic incident, which took place yesterday evening around 30km from Luxor in southern Egypt, is still under investigation.
Some reports suggest the Royal Beau Rivage made a sudden manoeuvre, allegedly breaching right-of-way rules, before colliding with the MS Opera near the Esna Lock.
The two vessels were travelling in opposite directions, reports say.
The ship’s captain’s licence has reportedly been withdrawn.
Denise was from Cagnano Amiterno in Italy’s Abruzzo region and worked as a teacher in nearby Pizzoli.
She was among around 80 other Italian tourists on board the Royal Beau Rivage, including her husband.
Italy’s ambassador to Cairo, Agostino Palese, said: “At present there is no news of other Italians being involved; they are all believed to be safe.“
No other serious injuries have been reported.
The Esna Lock, which connects Luxor and Aswan, sees heavy river traffic, particularly during the winter tourist season.