The official, quoting the vessels's Filipino captain, said that crew members were cleaning up the cargo tanks when all of a sudden the ship "split in two for reasons yet unknown."

The tanker was on its way to Suez for maintenance work and some repairs, the official said, adding that the tanker was not transporting any oil at the time except for the 60 tonnes destined for its own usage.

The 24-member crew were rescued, he added.

Egyptian officials were meanwhile trying to contain the oil spill.

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