Up to 6,000 tourists witnessed in Aswan on Thursday the celebration of the perpendicular sun fall on the face of Pharaoh Ramese II statue in Abu Simbel Temple in Aswan.

The captivating event happens twice per year, namely February 22, the day he ascended to the throne and October 12, his birthday.

The phenomenon lasted for 24 minutes, starting at 06:17 local time.

Last night, Aswan Governorate held a celebration involving folkloric troupes and a sound and light show narrating UNESCO's story of restoring Abu Simbel Temple.