A deadly disaster occurred in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt.
A tourist submarine carrying roughly 44 persons of various countries, including children, drowned while on a trip to inspect the coral reefs.
Rescue operations are still on, and the calamity has claimed many lives.
started to sink
The tourist submarine Sindbad was preparing for an expedition in the Red Sea region of Egypt, close to Hurghada, according to the local newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm. The submarine allows visitors to get a close-up look at the coral reefs and vibrant underwater life, but on Thursday, everything went terribly wrong.
According to authorities, the tourist submarine sank in front of the marina of one of the most famous hotels in Hurghada, killing six people and injuring nine more, including four in critical condition. Another 29 people were spared.
Rescue efforts were launched as the submarine started to sink, with the Red Sea Health Directorate and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority reportedly on high alert. Twenty-one ambulances were dispatched to the scene, along with security and emergency personnel.
Sindbad has been providing tourist tours in the Hurghada area for a number of years.
According to the company’s website, it has two of the world’s “14 real recreational submarines.” With its ability to descend 82 feet below the ocean’s surface, the ship offers stunning vistas of coral reefs and aquatic life.
“[Go] forty minutes below sea level to enjoy the fish and corals with a diving show to take pictures for a lifetime memory, and then the same boat will return you to the marine.” Sindbad Submarines’ additions and states:
“Enjoy the safety and comfort of our air-conditioned submarine, which offers an unparalleled underwater experience with two pilot seats, forty-four passenger seats, and large round viewing windows.”
Six foreigners were killed.
According to the New York Post, the governor’s administration in Hurghada admitted that six foreigners had died, but it did not specify whose countries they were from.
The Russian embassy in Egypt asserted that every passenger was a Russian national in a Facebook post. However, just four deaths were recorded by the embassy, which is fewer than the official figure provided by local authorities.
One of the deceased, according to the Russian Telegram channel Baza, is a child.
With over four million tourists in 2022 alone, Hurghada, which is in the Red Sea governorate of Egypt, is a popular vacation destination for many Europeans. German tourists accounted for the largest group of guests in the region’s hotels and resorts, at 1.158 million. Other notable countries that sent travelers included Poland, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
However, despite their popularity, the UK government issued a safety warning in February regarding liveaboard diving vacations in the Red Sea after 16 accidents occurred in the preceding five years. According to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch, three diving boats have vanished in the last 21 months, killing many people, including several UK nationals.
The UK government advised travelers to book these trips only through “reputable vendors who can provide assurance about the safety standards applicable to the dive boat for this reason.” They also suggested that passengers request a thorough safety briefing from the crew when they initially board.
