(CNN) -- Heavy rains and strong winds lashed parts of the Middle East on Sunday, rocking ships in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and damaging dozens of buildings in Egypt, government officials and state-run media reported.
The low-pressure system left a wake of destruction as it moved across the region, producing 48 sustained hours of severe weather conditions, noted CNN meteorologist Taylor Ward.
Three people died in the port city of Alexandria, Egypt, after strong winds and heavy rains contributed to the partial collapse of at least 28 buildings, state-run Nile TV reported.
Heavy swells and high winds shook a Royal Caribbean cruise ship early Sunday as it approached Alexandria, the company said in a statement. Several passengers received minor injuries and the ship itself suffered minor damage, before its captain opted not to dock the ship and moved on to its next destination in the Maltese city of Valetta, the statement said.
Members of a Moldavian cargo ship radioed for help Sunday morning after stormy weather caused the boat to sink off the coast of Ashdod, Israel, an Israeli military spokesman said. All 11 crew members managed to lower themselves into life boats and were picked up by a nearby ship. CNN
