27-03-2025
UPDATED: Six dead, 9 injured in tourist submarine sinking off Egypt Red Sea coast - Tourism
At least six people were killed and nine others injured when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt's Red Sea coast near Hurghada early on Thursday, authorities said.
The submarine was carrying 50 people, including five Egyptian crew members and 45 foreign tourists of Russian, Indian, Norwegian, and Swedish nationalities.
Following a visit to the survivors of the incident, Governor of the Red Sea Amr Hanafi stated the governorate's operations room received an alert that a tourist submarine sank in a marina near a hotel.
The governor added that the operations room immediately dispatched emergency services teams and 21 ambulances to the incident site for search and rescue.
Rescue teams transported 29 injured individuals to five hospitals: Hurghada General, Al-Masry Private, Al-Kawthar Private, Royal Private, and Al-Aseel Private.
Four of the injured remain in critical condition in the ICU.
The rest of the injured sustained lacerations, bruises, and abrasions and are in respiratory distress and are receiving necessary medical attention.
The six fatalities were identified as Russian nationals by the Egyptian authorities.
The remaining survivors were transported to their hotels after receiving medical attention.
Authorities confirmed that there were no missing persons.
The submarine was operated by Sindbad Submarines, a company with years of experience offering underwater excursions in the Hurghada region.
According to its website, the firm advertises that it owns two of the world's only 14 recreational submarines. The vessel can accommodate 44 passengers and two pilots and features a large circular viewing window for each passenger.
According to the website, it descends up to 25 metres, allowing passengers to observe a 500-metre-long stretch of coral reef and its associated marine life.
Governor Hanafi stated that a review established that Sindbad was operating with a valid license at the time of the incident.
He added that the submarine's captain possessed the necessary academic accreditations from the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport.
Hurghada is a popular tourist destination that is well-known for its beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
Medical sources said four of the injured were in critical condition and receiving treatment at local hospitals, adding that 29 others were rescued.
The Russian embassy in Egypt stated on Facebook that 45 Russian tourists, including children, were aboard the vessel and confirmed at least four fatalities.
The submarine was operated by Sindbad Submarines, a company with years of experience offering underwater excursions in the Hurghada region.
According to its website, the firm advertises that it owns two of only 14 recreational submarines worldwide.
The vessel has a capacity of 44 passengers and two pilots, with a large circular viewing window for each passenger.
It descends up to 25 metres, allowing passengers to observe a 500-metre coral reef and marine life stretch.
In November 2024, a tourist boat named Sea Story sank near Hurghada, leaving 11 people dead or missing and 35 survivors, according to BBC.
This February, another tourist boat carrying six crew members capsized off Jabal Al-Zayt, north of Hurghada, but all six were rescued.
Hurghada is a popular tourist destination that is well-known for its beaches and vibrant coral reefs.
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