A scorpion living in southern Egypt (archive image)
Photo: GORAN TOMASEVIC / REUTERS
Hundreds of people have been stung by scorpions in Egypt after heavy rains.
In Aswan in the south of the country, heavy rain drove many scorpions and snakes out of their hiding places, reported the state news website Al-Ahram.
Scorpions then stung more than 500 people.
Known for archaeological sites
Contrary to what was initially reported, there were no deaths.
All those affected had received an antidote to the poison of the scorpions, said Education and Research Minister Chalid Abdel Gaffar, according to a statement on Saturday.
Hospitals and medical facilities in the desert had sufficient antidotes available.
Aswan is located on the Nile in Upper Egypt and is known for its two dams and archaeological sites.
The city is also very popular with tourists.
Usually it hardly ever rains there.
In the rains that have been going on since Friday, light poles and trees have also been overturned.
In addition, shipping traffic on the Nile and Lake Nasser was temporarily interrupted.
fla / dpa
