Suez Canal temporarily halts navigation

A giant container vessel blocked maritime traffic in the Suez Canal after getting stuck sideways, causing significant disruptions in one of the world’s busiest waterways, Report informs referring to Sputnik International.

The canal connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas.

The Suez Canal Authority has announced a temporary halt to maritime traffic as eight tugs are working to release the container ship Ever Given that blocked the route after running aground.

“Maritime authorities said that 13 ships from the northern convoy via Port Said were supposed to pass through but ... remain docked in the transit areas until refloating is complete,” the authority’s spokesperson George Safwat said.

A source from the Gulf Agency Company operating the canal told Sputnik that traffic remains blocked for over two days now as the rescue operation continues.

According to the source, the vessel was still stuck in the shallow waters as of 10:00 a.m. local time.