17 Missing, 28 Rescued After Tourist Boat Sinks in Red Sea

Egyptian authorities report that 17 people, including foreigners, are missing, and 28 have been rescued after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea.

The vessel, carrying 31 tourists and 14 Egyptian crew members, sent a distress signal at 05:30 (03:30 GMT), according to the governor of the Red Sea province.

Officials have not suggested a cause for the sinking, though weather forecasts had warned against marine activities on Sunday and Monday.

The Sea Story departed from a port near Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving expedition, as stated by officials. Red Sea Governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi mentioned that the survivors were found in the Wadi el-Gemal area, south of Marsa Alam, and are receiving necessary medical treatment.

Hanafi also noted that the Egyptian Navy warship El Fateh and military aircraft are actively searching for the missing.

“Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the navy and the armed forces,” he said.

On Saturday, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority predicted rough conditions in the Mediterranean and Red Seas due to weather changes. They reported wind speeds between 37-43 mph (60-70 km/h) and wave heights reaching three to four metres (10-13ft).

The local council in Marsa Alam confirmed that all crew members of the Sea Story are Egyptians, and the tourists included five Spaniards, four Britons, four Germans, and two US nationals.

It remains unclear who among the tourists have been rescued and who are still missing. The Finnish foreign ministry informed AFP news agency that one of its nationals is among the missing.

A British Foreign Office spokesperson said they are in contact with the authorities and are providing “support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt.”

The Chinese embassy in Egypt reported, via state media and AFP, that two of its nationals were rescued and are in good health.

Meanwhile, Polish foreign ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski told the state-run Polish news agency PAP that authorities had information indicating two Polish citizens might have been on the boat.

Marsa Alam, a popular tourist destination on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast, is surrounded by renowned diving spots, including coral reefs.

A staff member at a nearby diving resort told AFP that a rescued crew member reported the vessel was “hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side.”

There has been no immediate comment from Dive Pro Liveaboard, the Egypt-based owner and operator of Sea Story.

According to their website, the vessel, built in 2022, is 44m (144ft) long with four decks and 18 cabins, accommodating up to 36 passengers.

Last year, three Britons died off the coast of Marsa Alam when their dive boat caught fire.

Frances Ibiefo

Follow us on: