Latest news with #Hanafy
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.
Morocco World
28-03-2025
- Morocco World
Tourist Submarine Sinks Off Egypt's Red Sea, Killing Six and Injuring 29
A tragic accident struck the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada on Thursday morning when a tourist submarine sank, claiming the lives of six tourists, including two children. Reports state that 29 people were injured, with some stating that four were in a critical condition. According to the Egyptian authorities, the vessel was carrying approximately 45 tourists and five Egyptian crew members at the time of the incident. The rescue teams reportedly managed to rescue 39 people, with the wounded individuals being rushed to local hospitals for treatment. The Russian consulate in Hurghada declared that all 45 passengers were Russian nationals, however, Red Sea Governor Major General Amr Hanafy said that the group also includes citizens of India, Norway, and Sweden. Hanafy visited the site of the sinking and announced the launch of a full-scale investigation to determine the cause of this calamity. He emphasized that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and ensuring that all necessary medical care is provided to the wounded. Egypt's Minister of Tourism, Sherif Fathy, reportedly directed officials to provide urgent medical assistance and ordered a technical review of the incident, including an inspection of the submarine's maintenance records. The submarine, named 'Sindbad,' was on an underwater tour exploring coral reefs when it suddenly went down off the coast of Hurghada, a famous diving destination and the capital of the Red Sea Governorate, Southeast Egypt. Earlier in November, a luxury Yacht capsized in the Red Sea, leading to the death of four people, while 33 were rescued. No issues were declared after inspection, and Hanafi later declared that a large wave caused the boat to capsize. As a premier tourist destination, this sector plays a vital role in sustaining Egypt's economy, with the country achieving a record-breaking revenue of $14 billion in 2024. Tags: red seaSubmarineTourism Egypt
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Crew questioned after Red Sea submarine sinks killing six
Egyptian authorities have questioned the crew of a tourist submarine which sank in the Red Sea killing six of the 45 passengers on board. The 39 other passengers, and five crew were rescued on Thursday after the Sindbad vessel foundered at about 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT), officials say. Nine people have been injured, including four critically. The group had been on board the sightseeing vessel, viewing coral reefs off the resort town of Hurghada. Two children were among the six Russian tourists killed, Russian media reported. The cause of the incident is as yet unclear. The Sindbad had been in operation as a tourist submarine for a number of years. The Red Sea governor, Amr Hanafy, said the 45 passengers on the Sindbad were from Russia, India, Norway and Sweden. Five Egyptian crew members were also on board. Mr Hanafy said the six who died were all Russian, but full details of the victims have not yet been released. Egypt submarine sinking: What we know so far Two married doctors were among those who had died and their daughters were in hospital, authorities said. Mr Hanafy said the submarine involved had a valid licence and the crew leader obtained the correct "scientific certificates". An investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia said in a Telegram post the submarine had hit a reef and subsequently lost pressure while at a depth of 20 metres (65 feet). Russian tourists play a growing role in Egypt's tourism sector - a lifeline to the country's ailing economy. The city of Hurghada is located to the south-east of Cairo - a tourist destination known for its beaches and coral reefs. The submarine was equipped with large portholes to let passengers see the Red Sea's spectacular corals and marine life, and was able to descend to a depth of 25 metres (82 feet), according to Sindbad Submarines' website. Dr James Aldridge from Bristol took the same trip on the submarine in February 2025. He told the BBC: "The sub was well-maintained and was as shown in the promotional photos. "Fresh paint, modern equipment and with attentive and professional English-speaking staff (including two divers to accompany you down)." He explained passengers listened to a safety briefing, which had been recorded in multiple languages, and said that life jackets were not issued. "We toured the reef for 40 minutes. For the first 20 I was facing the reef, the sub never strayed 'too close' and I never felt unsafe. "For the return trip, I was facing the ocean," he added. It's the second incident in the Red Sea in around six months. Last November, a boat named Sea Story carrying more than 40 people also sank near the Egyptian resort of Marsa Allam, with 11 people unaccounted, or presumed dead. Reasons behind this latest tragedy are not clear yet. But the frequency of such incidents raise big questions about safety measures employed by local authorities, in such popular tourist sea excursion areas, and whether or not proper safety checks are being carried out.
