Traffic jam in the Suez Canal: Thousands of animals are stuck in cargo ships

“We are facing a great tragedy”

Osama Rabie, head of the Canal Authority, said in a press conference today, Saturday, that there are 321 ships waiting to cross the pass. “Marine Traffic” also announced to CNN, that 13 ships were carrying live animals on board, which were bound to different countries in Europe and Asia. The British newspaper The Guardian even reported as many as 20 ships from Romania and Spain and relies on tracking data.

Gabriel Bowen, director of the International NGO in the European Union, has warned that thousands of animals could die if the situation is not resolved. He said, “We are facing a great tragedy if the channel is not opened during the next 24 hours because there are ships running out of food and water during the next two days,” according to CNN. Additionally, other ships carrying livestock are already on their way to the Suez Canal. Some cargo ships have reserves for six days, Bowen said, “If they decide to return to Romania today, they have a chance. But if the blockade lasts from two to six days, we will face a disaster.”

“My biggest fear is that the animals will run out of food and water and get stuck on ships because they cannot be thrown elsewhere due to the bureaucracy,” said Gerrit Weidinger, the European Union coordinator for Animals International, the Guardian. to me.

But the veterinary authorities in Bucharest gave SPIEGEL the complete evacuation. They are already in contact with transportation companies and there is enough water and food in the next few days. If the traffic jam continues for longer, animals can be discharged at other ports of arrival. Rabie talked about three ships with livestock, according to CNN. The Egyptian Ministry of Health sent them food and veterinarians.