In brief
Rescue operations are ongoing after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea, leaving five survivors and multiple casualties, as authorities work to identify victims.
The Egyptian Red Sea witnessed a tragic incident when a tourist boat, carrying 44 individuals, sank on Monday. As of Tuesday, search and rescue efforts have yielded five survivors and discovered four bodies, with reports indicating that seven people remain missing.Rescue teams have successfully saved a total of 33 individuals since the vessel, identified as the Sea Story, capsized after being struck by a massive wave near Marsa Alam. Among the passengers were tourists from various countries, including two British nationals listed among the missing. Distress signals were sent out by the boat early Monday, at approximately 05:30 local time.Red Sea governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi revealed that the unfortunate incident occurred when the modern four-deck yacht quickly sank within five to seven minutes, leaving many unable to escape from their cabins. The vessel was on a five-day diving trip and had departed from port the previous Sunday. High winds with speeds ranging from 37-43 mph and wave heights of up to 4 meters were reported, prompting warnings from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority against maritime activities.Emergency crews and a passing tourist boat came together during the chaotic hours following the capsizing, rescuing many. Survivors were located in the Wadi el-Gemal area, south of Marsa Alam, where local authorities have established support for them in nearby hotels, confirming that they are all in good health.The Egyptian boat, Sea Story, which was owned by a local operator, had received its maritime safety certificate earlier this March, with no technical faults noted during inspections. While the crew consisted solely of Egyptian nationals, guests included individuals from a spectrum of countries including Belgium, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.Inquiries from the UK Foreign Office have confirmed that they are providing necessary support to affected British families, while the Chinese embassy has reported that some of its nationals are safe and accounted for. The local council in Marsa Alam detailed the unfortunate events and the ongoing investigation, echoing safety concerns following a similar incident last year which resulted in fatalities when another dive boat caught fire.
