Inside doomed Sindbad submarine: Footage from inside vessel shows what it was like for passengers on board before disaster struck

Footage Offers Glimpse Inside Doomed Sindbad Submarine Before Red Sea Tragedy

Video clips from within the Sindbad tourist submarine present a poignant view of the vessel’s typical underwater excursions, contrasting sharply with the recent disaster off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt. The incident involving the Sindbad submarine in the Red Sea has reportedly resulted in fatalities and injuries, casting a shadow over the popular tourist submarine tours.

Tragedy Strikes Off Hurghada Coast

Authorities fear at least six individuals have perished after the Sindbad submarine, carrying 44 passengers, sank near the Egyptian resort city of Hurghada. The vessel went down approximately one kilometer from the shore earlier today. A further nine people sustained injuries in the incident, with four reported to be in critical condition.

Contrast Between Joyful Past Excursions and Present Calamity

Uplifting videos filmed by previous passengers aboard the Sindbad submarine stand in stark opposition to the tragic events that unfolded. These recordings depict the submarine tours as a family-friendly activity, showcasing the underwater world to delighted visitors.

Families Enjoyed Underwater Views

One video illustrates families with young children participating in the underwater tour, venturing 80 feet beneath the ocean surface. Children are seen excitedly observing marine life through the submarine’s circular windows, pointing out vibrant schools of fish to their parents. Divers in the water are also featured, interacting with passengers by waving and feeding the sea creatures, adding to the entertainment.

Interactive Experiences Highlighted in Footage

Another video segment captures a family playfully pressing their hands against a viewing portal as a diver photographs them from the outside, encapsulating the lighthearted nature of these past excursions.

Description of Typical Sindbad Submarine Tours

Additional footage shows the process of embarking on a Sindbad submarine tour. Passengers are transported to the submarine by boat and receive a pre-departure briefing before descending and boarding the vessel. Inside, passengers are seated closely together on the floor, listening to a tour guide via a speaker system.

Past Positive Reviews of Sindbad Excursions

Prior to the incident, feedback for Sindbad submarine tours was overwhelmingly positive. One family described it as a “great experience,” while another visitor remarked that the trip was “so cool,” highlighting the previously favorable perception of the tourist submarine operation.

Emergency Response to Submarine Sinking

This morning, the Red Sea Security Directorate received an alert regarding the sinking of the tourist submarine. The incident occurred close to the harbor, in front of a well-known hotel, which local media has yet to identify. Sources have confirmed that the Red Sea Health Directorate and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority immediately initiated maximum alert protocols.

Ambulances Deployed, Injured Transported to Hospitals

Approximately 21 ambulances were dispatched to the accident site and have been actively transporting injured individuals to local medical facilities, including Al-Kawthar Hospital, due to the severity of their conditions.

Details of Passengers and Submarine Operation

The 44 passengers aboard the submarine were reportedly of diverse nationalities and were on an excursion to view Egypt’s coral reefs and tropical fish. The submarine is said to be capable of diving to depths of 72 feet. Sindbad Submarines has been conducting tourist trips in Hurghada for several years.

Tour Operator and Excursion Details

According to Sharm Hurghada Excursions, the operator, the underwater tour lasts three hours and costs £68 per adult and £35 per child. The company promotes the tours as an opportunity to “admire Hurghada’s underwater life and extensive coral reef” and “enjoy a diving experience while staying dry,” boasting views at depths of 72 feet.

Unique Features of Sindbad Submarines

The company also claims to operate two of only 14 “real recreational submarines” worldwide. The Sindbad Submarines website further states that each vessel accommodates 44 passengers with “two pilots’ seats and a sizable round viewing window for each passenger.”

Investigation Underway into Cause of Sinking

The cause and circumstances surrounding the sinking incident are currently unconfirmed and under investigation.

Past Incidents Involving Tourist Boats in Hurghada

Hurghada is a highly frequented tourist destination, and unfortunately, this is not the first instance of an incident involving tourist boats in the region’s waters.

Similar Tourist Boat Sinking in November

In November of last year, another tourist boat, named Sea Story, sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast near Shaab Satayah, a popular diving site off Marsa Alam. Survivors of the Sea Story sinking reported that a large wave struck the boat, causing it to capsize rapidly. Rough weather conditions were cited as a contributing factor in that incident, with reported high waves and strong winds leading to maritime traffic closures at the time.

Recurring Safety Concerns in Red Sea Tourist Excursions

UK investigators reportedly indicated last month that there had been 16 incidents involving “liveaboard” vessels in the Red Sea region in the past five years, with some resulting in fatalities, raising concerns about safety standards in the tourist boat industry in the area.