Over the past few hours, social media circulated news about the collapse of several houses in Egypt’s Luxor Governorate, allegedly due to so-called “termites,” which caused widespread concern among residents. The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation later settled the debate with an official statement, categorically denying these claims.

Fear had resurfaced among residents of villages in the Esna center, south of Luxor Governorate, following the collapse of a house in Al-Deir village. This became the third house to collapse within a short period and the second in the same village within just one week.

Collapse of 3 Houses in Egypt’s Al-Deir Village

The repeated incidents raised urgent questions about the real reasons behind the collapse of houses within a single geographic area, especially since the collapsed houses are similar in being old and built with mud bricks.

Residents’ opinions were divided regarding the causes of the collapse. A segment blamed what is known as “termites,” asserting that this insect, in their belief, causes gradual and hidden erosion of walls and foundations.

In contrast, other citizens proposed different hypotheses, including the presence of cesspits or voids beneath the houses due to old drainage systems, or weak soil. A third group believed the cause was the deterioration of the mud bricks, which had reached a structural age where they could no longer withstand pressure.

Erosion of walls in a house in Al-Deir village, Luxor
Erosion of walls in a house in Al-Deir village, Luxor.

Termites are a serious pest that feeds on cellulose material found in clothes, furnishings, and furniture.

The insect lives in huge numbers in colonies ranging from 30,000 to three million insects, causing damage to houses, structures, and all types of agricultural crops.

Ministry of Agriculture: Termites Are Not the Cause of the Collapses

The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation categorically denied what has been circulated regarding termites causing the collapse of three houses in Al-Deir village.

The ministry confirmed in an official statement that a specialized technical committee from the Central Administration for Pest Control, in coordination with the Luxor Agriculture Directorate, immediately moved to the reported site and conducted field inspections in the presence of the village mayor, representatives from the House of Representatives, the governorate, the city council, and a number of residents.

The committee’s technical report clarified that the real cause behind the collapse of the houses is the deterioration of the buildings, given that they are constructed from mud bricks affected by time and humidity, leading to a weak structural framework and their collapse.

The ministry emphasized that termites feed only on “cellulose” found in wood and textiles and cannot affect walls, concrete foundations, or bricks. It confirmed that their activity, despite being dangerous to furniture, does not scientifically lead to the complete collapse of buildings.

The Ministry of Agriculture indicated that it regularly monitors the spread of termites, noting that 73 houses in the Esna center where the insect appeared had previously been dealt with, due to the mountainous nature of the area.

The ministry confirmed that control services are provided free of charge to those unable to pay and under the direct supervision of the directorates, according to an approved protocol that includes digging trenches around infested houses and injecting them with specialized pesticides to ensure complete isolation.

In conclusion, the Ministry of Agriculture called for accuracy and obtaining information from official sources, and not following rumors that cause anxiety among residents, confirming that control units are on permanent alert to protect citizens’ homes.

Luxor Governorate

Luxor Governorate in southern Egypt is often called the “world’s greatest open-air museum” as it encompasses the ancient city of Thebes, the powerful capital of the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE). Its monumental sites, including the Karnak and Luxor Temples on the east bank and the Valley of the Kings and Queens on the west bank, showcase the architectural and religious grandeur of ancient Egypt.

Esna center

Esna is a city on the west bank of the Nile in southern Egypt, historically known as Iunyt or Ta-senet to the ancient Egyptians and as Latopolis to the Greeks. It is most famous for the Temple of Khnum, a remarkably preserved Ptolemaic and Roman-era structure dedicated to the ram-headed creator god, which features a stunning hypostyle hall with astronomical ceiling decorations and carved inscriptions. While much of the temple remains buried beneath the modern town, the excavated hall stands as a significant archaeological site, revealing layers of history from the Greco-Roman period of Egyptian history.

Al-Deir village

Al-Deir, also known as “The Monastery,” is a monumental rock-cut temple in Petra, Jordan, carved by the Nabataeans in the 1st century AD. While it resembles a monastery, its original purpose was likely as a temple or a banquet hall. It stands as one of the largest and most iconic monuments in the ancient city, showcasing the Nabataeans’ sophisticated engineering and architectural skill.

Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation is a key Egyptian government body responsible for agricultural policy, irrigation, and expanding arable land, primarily through managing the Nile’s water resources. Its modern form was established in the 20th century, with its history deeply tied to major national projects like the Aswan High Dam, which aimed to control floods and reclaim desert areas for farming. Today, it focuses on achieving food security and sustainable agricultural development in Egypt.

Central Administration for Pest Control

The “Central Administration for Pest Control” is not a widely recognized cultural or historical site. It appears to be a functional government or municipal department, likely responsible for managing public health and sanitation through pest eradication. Without a specific, notable location or established historical narrative, it does not have a summarized history as a cultural landmark.

Luxor Agriculture Directorate

The Luxor Agriculture Directorate is a modern administrative government office in Luxor, Egypt, responsible for managing and developing the region’s agricultural sector. While the directorate itself is a contemporary institution, it operates in a governorate whose agricultural history is ancient, as the surrounding lands along the Nile have been cultivated for thousands of years since the time of the pharaohs.

House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, established by the Constitution in 1789. It is composed of representatives elected from congressional districts based on state population, with its primary powers including initiating revenue bills and impeaching federal officials.