A tragic accident has occurred in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt.
A tourist submarine carrying approximately 44 passengers, including children, of various nationalities sank during an excursion to explore the coral reefs.
The incident has resulted in multiple fatalities and an intense rescue operation.
Started to sink
The local newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reports that the tourist submarine Sindbad was in the Hurghada area of Egypt’s Red Sea, preparing for an excursion. The submarine offers tourists a close-up view of the coral reefs and vibrant marine life underwater — but on Thursday, something went terribly wrong.
Sources revealed that the tourist submarine sank in front of the marina of one of Hurghada’s famous hotels, resulting in six deaths and nine injuries, including four in critical condition. Another 29 people were rescued.
A rescue operation was launched as the submarine started to sink, with the Red Sea Health Directorate and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority reportedly on high alert. A total of 21 ambulances, along with security and rescue forces, were dispatched to the scene.
Sindbad has been operating tourist excursions in the Hurghada area for several years.
According to its website, the company owns two of the world’s only ”14 real recreational submarines.” The vessel can descend 82 feet deep in the sea, offering stunning views of the coral reefs and marine life.
”[Go] below sea level for 40 minutes enjoying the corals and fish with divers show to take photos for unforgettable memory, then you will be transferred back by the same boat to the marine,” Sindbad Submarines states and addes:
”Enjoy the comfort and safety of our air-conditioned submarine, designed with 44 passenger seats, two pilot seats, and large round viewing windows for an unparalleled underwater experience.”
Six foreign nationals were killed
According to New York Post, the governor’s office in Hurghada confirmed that six foreign nationals were killed but did not specify their nationalities.
Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Egypt stated in a Facebook post that all the tourists on board were Russian citizens. However, the embassy reported only four fatalities, contradicting the official count from local authorities.
One of the deceased is a child, according to the Russian Telegram channel Baza.
Hurghada, located in Egypt’s Red Sea governorate, is a popular tourist destination for many Europeans, drawing over four million visitors in 2022 alone. The region’s resorts and hotels saw strong arrivals, with German tourists making up the largest group, totaling 1.158 million. Other notable nationalities included tourists from Russia, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
However, despite its popularity, the UK government issued a safety warning in February regarding liveaboard diving holidays in the Red Sea, following 16 accidents over the past five years. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch reported that three dive boats had been lost in the last 21 months, leading to multiple fatalities, including some UK nationals.
As a result, the UK government advised travelers to book these holidays only through ”reputable vendors who can provide assurance about the safety standards applicable to the dive boat.” They also recommended that customers request a thorough safety briefing from the crew upon arrival on board.