Six Russian tourists dead after Red Sea submarine sinks off Egypt's coast
People walk next to a police vehicle in front of the hospital where the bodies of those who died when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt's Red Sea resort city of Hurghada, are kept in Hurghada, Egypt on March 27, 2025. Photo: Reuters
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At least six Russian tourists have died after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Egyptian Red Sea resort city, authorities confirmed on Thursday. The Red Sea governorate said 39 foreign tourists were rescued following the incident, and no one remains missing.
The submarine, named Sindbad, was carrying 45 tourists and five Egyptian crewmembers when it went down near the beach in the tourist promenade area, about one kilometre from the shore.
Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi said in a statement that rescue teams responded swiftly to the scene. Russia's consulate in Hurghada confirmed the casualties and stated that most passengers were returned to their hotels or transported to hospitals.
It remains unclear what caused the submarine to sink. Weather conditions were reported to be clear, with excellent underwater visibility at the time of the crash. Local newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm said an investigation is currently underway.
According to the Sindbad Submarines website, the vessel was equipped with large viewing portholes and could dive up to 25 meters (82 feet), offering tourists an underwater view of the Red Sea's coral reefs and marine life.
Hurghada, located around 460 kilometres (280 miles) southeast of Cairo, is a major tourist hub that draws thousands of visitors annually—many of them Russian nationals.
The area has seen several tragic incidents in recent years. In November, a dive boat capsized off the coast of Marsa Alam, resulting in four deaths and seven missing persons.
Last June, French tourists narrowly escaped another accident when their boat sank during a storm. In 2023, three British tourists died after their yacht caught fire.
Despite safety concerns, Egypt remains a top African tourist destination. A 2024 UN report ranked the country first on the continent for tourism revenue, earning $14.1 billion—more than double the revenue generated by the Suez Canal.
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