Fishermen have stolen cables from Egypt's Aswan High Dam, one of Africa's largest, the official MENA news agency reported on Sunday, as the government insisted safety was unaffected by the theft.
Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Mahmoud Abu Zeid told parliament that the southern dam had measures in place for it to keep operating after fishermen stole cables which lift nets protecting the dam's water entrances.
Two sets of cables are used in the winch systems that control nets to filter debris from the water heading for the hydroelectric dam's turbines. If one is stolen or breaks down, the other operates automatically, Abu Zeid explained.
The fishermen responsible for the theft have been arrested and "brought to justice," MENA said. It did not say why they wanted the dam's cables.
Following the theft, for which a date was not given, security measures on the dam have been reinforced, including installing surveillance cameras, the agency said.
The 111-metre (365-foot) high Aswan dam, completed in 1970, is one of Africa's largest by capacity. Dams and bridges in Egypt are considered strategic assets and usually well-protected by security forces.