Latest news with #Hanafy
Egypt Independent
04-07-2025
- General
- Egypt Independent
Search continues for 3 missing as Red Sea drilling rig disaster enters third day
Search and rescue efforts by specialized authorities and GUPCO teams continued for a third consecutive day in the waters of the Gulf of Suez, looking for three missing individuals from the Admarine 12 marine drilling rig. The rig capsized during towing to a new site north of the Red Sea, and despite 72 hours of intense searching, no survivors have been found. Amr Hanafy, Governor of the Red Sea, confirmed that the rig was in transit when the accident occurred in a vast and complex marine area. He noted the incident unfolded in just a few minutes, making it difficult for those on board to react or evacuate in time. Hanafy explained that specialized technical authorities are conducting an extensive investigation to determine the true causes of the accident, confirming that a dedicated committee has already begun its work and all relevant agencies continue to support the ongoing rescue and search operations. Survivors recount moments of terror During investigations, survivors recounted the terrifying moments they experienced, stating they were shocked by the rig's sudden sinking. 'We didn't expect to sink. Suddenly, the rig started to tilt, then capsize,' one survivor said. 'We found ourselves in the water within moments and held onto each other until GUPCO's rescue units arrived and pulled us from the sea.' Another added, 'We were on our way to work on a marine platform north of the Red Sea, and everything was normal until the accident happened suddenly.' Survivors mentioned that rescue units transferred them to nearby marine vessels and then to the port, where ambulances took them to hospitals for necessary treatment. They praised the quick response and professionalism of the rescue teams. Victim identification and ongoing search The Red Sea Prosecution, under the supervision of Chief Public Prosecutor Ahmed Abdel Mohsen, authorized the burial of four victims whose bodies were recovered from the accident site. This authorization came after the bodies were examined and handed over to their families for burial. The Admarine 12 marine drilling rig, owned by ADES Holding, had 30 individuals on board at the time of the accident. So far, 22 have been rescued, and four deaths have been confirmed, with search operations still ongoing for the remaining missing.
DW
02-07-2025
- General
- DW
Ship capsizes in Gulf of Suez, at least 4 dead – DW – 07/02/2025
An oil-drilling vessel overturned with reports that it was being towed in the important shipping route. Three people are still missing. A ship capsize in the Gulf of Suez has left at least four people dead with another four still missing, authorities in Egypt said on Wednesday. This was confirmed in reports citing the vessel operator's Saudi Arabian owner, ADES Holding Company, although according to them only three were believed to be missing. AP news agency cited Egypt's Red Sea province governor Amr Hanafy as saying that there had been 30 workers on board the vessel when it capsized. Hanafy said rescue teams recovered the bodies of four people but also managed to pluck 22 people to safety, who were then taken to hospital. Vessels from Egypt's navy assisted in search and rescue efforts. The circumstances surrounding the capsize remain unclear, but local media reported it was being tugged for excavations in another area when it overturned. Egypt's petroleum ministry on Tuesday said oil and gas producer Offshore Shukheir Oil Co (OSOCO) reported the incident as occurring near Egypt's Gabal El-Zeit area along the Red Sea, The Suez Canal Authoritiy said in a statement that the incident involved the Admarine 12 oil-drilling ship and took place 130 nautical miles from the southern entrance of the Suez Canal. The authority said that navigation in the important shipping route had not been impacted. ADES said that three of its personnel and one contractor were killed, and rescuers were searching for the remaining three, ADES said. "The company is working closely with local authorities and emergency services, with the safety and well-being of all personnel remaining its highest priority. A full and thorough investigation into the incident will be conducted," ADES said.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Entire Crew Escaped Submarine During Sinking That Killed Multiple Children
In Egypt's Red Sea, a crew on a sightseeing submarine tour managed to escape when the vessel began sinking — even though some of the tourists on board were not so lucky. As the BBC reports, authorities are questioning the crew of the Sindbad submarine after it foundered during a coral reef tour near the beach town of Hurghada in southeastern Egypt. Of the 45 passengers on board the vessel, six tourists — including two children — died during the sinking, and nine more were injured. When authorities came to rescue the sinking sub, 39 people and five crew members were saved, the report notes. Two of the tourists who died were a married couple of doctors, and their daughters, devastatingly, are in the hospital in critical condition. According to statements from Red Sea governor Amr Hanafy, the Sindbad's crew were all Egyptian and its passengers hailed from India, Norway, Sweden, and Russia. Somehow, only Russians died during the incident, and it remains unclear what happened. Unlike the Oceangate debacle from nearly two years ago, the Sindbad Submarines company seemingly had a strong reputation, and had been in operation in the Red Sea resort town for years. According to Hanafy, the sub was licensed and its head crew member had gotten all the right certificates to operate it — which makes the tragic incident all the stranger. Tragically, this is not the first maritime tragedy to strike the Red Sea in recent months. In late November, the BBC notes, the "Sea Story" tourist yacht capsized with more than 40 people on board while sailing near the resort town of Marsa Alam located about 200 miles up the coast from Hurghada. As Dive Magazine noted, it took 36 hours to rescue the yacht's surviving passengers, and four bodies were pulled from the wrecked yacht. Seven are still missing, and presumed dead. Between the orca attacks and the headlines about ships and subs sinking, it's a wonder that anyone who doesn't have to is taking to the sea — but then again, flying's not much better lately, either. More on seafaring: Dolphins Appear as Astronauts Splash Down in Ocean
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Six Russian tourists killed after submarine sinks off Egyptian coast
Six Russian tourists were killed on Thursday after a viewing submarine sank near the Egyptian resort city of Hurghada, according to the local governor. Maj. Gen. Amr Hanafy confirmed the deaths in an update on the Red Sea Governorate's official Facebook page. He said there were 45 passengers – including tourists from Russia, India, Norway and Sweden – onboard when the accident occurred, in addition to five Egyptian crew members. Apart from the six Russians, all the other tourists had been rescued, he said. Hanafy added that four of the tourists were in critical condition and currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) at local hospitals. The incident – involving a vessel operated by Sindbad Submarines – took place in the waters off Egypt's eastern coastline on Thursday morning. The submarine 'crashed at a distance of 1 km from the shore' at around 10 a.m., according to the Russian consulate in Hurghada. The vessel was on a regular underwater excursion to inspect the coral reef, it continued, adding that most of those on board were rescued and taken to nearby hotels and hospitals. The governor said 'investigations by the authorities are underway with the vessel's crew to determine the cause of the incident,' but he noted that the submarine held a valid operating license and the crew leader held the required 'scientific certificates.' In an accompanying video, Hanafy could be seen visiting nearby hospitals and talking with survivors, some of whom were wrapped in emergency blankets while others sat on hospital beds. Hurghada is a popular resort on Egypt's Red Sea coast, roughly 480 kilometers (300 miles) southeast of Cairo. The company that runs the submarine tours claims to be well-established in exploring the region's dramatic seabed. Thursday's forecast showed clear skies, light winds, and warm conditions. The temperature was around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) with winds under 10 kph, according to CNN meteorologists. CNN has reached out to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for comment. The operator of the submarine has an 'expert team' with 'years of experience,' according to its website, adding that its vessels were 'engineered in Finland to sustain underwater pressure up to 75m, ensuring safety and reliability.' In an emergency, the company says 'oxygen masks are located overhead and life vests under the seats.' Sindbad Submarines says it has two 'recreational submarines' in its fleet, each of which could carry 44 passengers and two pilots with a 'sizable round viewing window' for each passenger. The vessel could reach a depth of 25 meters (82 ft) below sea level for 40 minutes, allowing passengers to explore '500 meters of coral reef and its marine inhabitant.' The 'spacious air-conditioned cabin' is also said to feature 'comfortable seats and personal TV monitors.' In November, at least 16 people went missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea following warnings about rough seas. At the time, it was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck, wooden-hulled motor yacht to sink. Egypt's tourism economy is among its key sources of revenue. This story has been updated with developments. CNN's Mounira Elsamra contributed reporting to this story.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Crew involved in deadly tourist submarine incident in Red Sea questioned by authorities
March 28 (UPI) -- The local crew of a recreational submarine that sank off the Egyptian Red Sea coast killing six Russian tourists and injuring nine other passengers have been questioned by authorities in Egypt amid an ongoing investigation into the tragedy. The 45 tourists departed the beach resort of Hurghada aboard the purpose-built submarine with a crew of five mid-morning Thursday for a sightseeing tour of coral reefs in the waters off the popular beach resort but the vessel got into difficulties about a half mile out. Two children and a married couple, both doctors, were among the six Russians killed. The BBC reported that the daughters of the couple were hospitalized after 39 other passengers and the five crew were rescued. Four of those injured remain in intensive care in area hospitals in critical condition. There was confusion over the injured with the Russian Embassy in Cairo saying seven Russian citizens, of whom five are minors, were being treated for non life-threatening injuries. The nationalities of the other two people hurt have not been released but Red Sea governor Amr Hanafy said that nationals from India, Norway and Sweden were also on board. The cause of the incident is under investigation but the Association of Tour Operators of Russia said the submarine collided with a reef while at a depth of 65 feet, causing an unrecoverable decompression. Hanafy said the vessel, owned and operated by Hurghada-based Sindbad Submarines, was licensed and the commander had the required qualifications from the Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. The two doctors killed were named as anesthesiologist Ravil Valiullin and his wife Kristina from the Republic of Tatarstan, 600 miles east of Moscow. However, Tatarstan press spokesperson Liliya Galimova stressed it would take time to complete formal identification, warning that it remained unclear if Mrs. Valiullin had in fact been killed. "We rely on information that comes directly from the scene, from Egypt. As we can see, the information there is constantly changing. Time is needed. We will wait for clarification," she told Russian media. Briton, Dr. James Aldridge said that when he took a Sindbad reef tour in February it appeared to be a well-run, professional operation and that passengers received a pre-recorded multi-lingual safety briefing before embarking. "Fresh paint, modern equipment and with attentive and professional English-speaking staff (including two divers to accompany you down)," he said. However, he did note that life jackets were not provided. Thursday's accident has thrown a renewed spotlight on the safety record of operators of recreational vessels in the Red Sea serving thousands of mainly scuba divers who flock there every year, many of them joining so-called "liveaboard" dive boats plying its waters. In November, as many as 11 people were killed and seven are missing, presumed dead after a dive boat capsized south of Hurghada and three British divers were killed in June 2023 in a fire aboard the MV Hurricane, a liveaboard belonging to Sharm El-Shiekh-based Tornado Marine Fleet, while anchored at the popular Elphinstone Reef.
