Beaches in the Red Sea resort town of Eilat were closed to swimmers early Saturday, due to a sever sewage leak.

The leak comes as tens of thousands of people were vacationing Eilat for the Sukkot holiday, and there were few vacancies Saturday in the town's numerous hotels.

In the coming days, officials will examine the water quality in order to decide whether to reopen the beaches. Army Radio reported, however, that the beaches would remain closed until Sunday afternoon at the earliest.