Samples taken from the Nile water in Qena tested negative, the Irrigation Ministry said on Wednesday.

"Water stations are currently working in full swing after the lifting of a vessel that sank in the Nile River yesterday with 500 tons of phosphate on board," the ministry said in a report, a copy of which was sent to Irrigation Minister Hossam Moghazi.

Moghazi ordered continuing the state of extreme emergency in Qena till the lifting of the phosphate cargo completely.

Technical experts said the Nile water will not be polluted because the phosphate cargo is insoluble.