Published Date: 2025-04-30 10:07:06 Updated At: 2025-04-30 11:17:54

Body of Young Photographer Retrieved After Drowning During Work on Floating Hotel in Luxor

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, rescue teams in Luxor successfully retrieved the body of 24-year-old photographer Wanes Ashraf George, who drowned in the Nile River while working aboard a floating hotel. The tragic incident, which occurred five days ago, has deeply saddened both the local community and professional circles, especially in the Azmant Al-Waborat area where the young man was from.

Wanes, known for his deep passion for photography, was a freelance photographer involved in documenting Nile cruises on floating hotels, offering his services to both local and international tourists. Last Saturday, while on the deck of a hotel returning from Aswan, his professional camera fell into the Nile near the Sebaiya area in Edfu. Attempting to save it, Wanes jumped into the water but was swept away by the current and disappeared, as he reportedly could not swim, according to colleagues.

Authorities were immediately alerted, and river rescue forces, supported by specialized diving teams, launched an extensive search that covered a wide stretch of the river. The strong currents and challenging water conditions made the search difficult. Throughout those five days, Wanes’s family remained near the site of the accident, pleading for intensified search efforts, supported by residents and volunteers from the local community.

Today, after five days of exhaustive effort, rescue teams found the body near the Esna Lock, a considerable distance from the original accident site. The body was transferred to the morgue at Tiba Specialized Hospital in Esna, under the supervision of the Public Prosecution, pending investigation and burial procedures.

Over the past days, social media became a platform of solidarity with Wanes’s family, with many expressing sorrow for the loss of a young man remembered for his kind nature, ambition, and dedication to building a future in photography.

The incident also highlighted the lack of safety measures on some floating hotels. Wanes had no life jacket or rescue equipment at the time, prompting calls from residents and observers for stricter oversight of these vessels and for mandatory provision of safety tools and swimming training for staff and tourists alike.

As the grieving family prepares to lay their son to rest, their sorrow is now joined by a call for urgent action to prevent similar tragedies and ensure safer working environments for young people working under precarious conditions.

The loss of Wanes Ashraf George — a photographer who hadn’t yet reached his 25th birthday — serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for safety and protection for those who work behind the scenes to support Egypt’s tourism sector.