Limited fire in Luxor.. Egyptian authorities confirm the safety of Pharaonic antiquities

A fire broke out this morning in one of the cafeterias in the West Bank area of Luxor, one of the most prominent archaeological areas in Egypt, raising questions about its impact on the neighboring historical sites. However, the relevant authorities confirmed that the fire was limited and did not extend to any of the Pharaonic antiquities or tombs.

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that the fire was caused by an "electrical short circuit" in the cafeteria, and it was completely controlled without any injuries or human damage. The ministry confirmed in an official statement that "the Valley of the Kings and the archaeological tombs were not affected and are in completely safe condition."

For his part, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar Wagdy, General Director of Luxor Antiquities, stated that the antiquities and security teams immediately went to the fire site to take the necessary precautionary measures. He confirmed that "the archaeological area is protected and has not been exposed to any risks," pointing to cooperation with the Luxor Governorate to remove the effects of the fire and rehabilitate the area as soon as possible.

The West Bank of Luxor, located west of the Nile River, is one of the richest archaeological areas in Egypt, historically referred to as the "City of the Dead" due to its containing the tombs of kings and funerary temples. The choice of this site is linked to the ancient Egyptians' beliefs about the west as a symbol of the sun's journey towards immortality.

The area is famous for its ancient historical sites, such as the Valley of the Kings, which houses the tombs of great pharaohs, and the Valley of the Queens, which contains the remains of queens and princes, in addition to the grand funerary temples that testify to the greatness of Egyptian civilization.