Six Russian tourists dead after submarine sinks in Red Sea, Egyptian officials say – latest updates

• Casualties and Injuries: Six individuals have tragically died, and nine others sustained injuries following the sinking of a tourist submarine in Hurghada, a popular Red Sea destination in Egypt. Local municipal officials, speaking anonymously, conveyed this information, as they were not authorized to speak to the press.

• Location of the Incident: The incident occurred in the waters adjacent to the Marriot Hotel resort in Hurghada. The recreational submarine was operated by Sindbad Submarines.

• Nationality of Victims: Initially, reports indicated the deceased were foreign citizens of unknown nationalities. Subsequently, the Russian embassy in Egypt verified that all tourists aboard the submarine were Russian citizens. They also stated that a total of 45 passengers, including children, were on the vessel.

• Rescue Operations: The local governorate office reported that all confirmed fatalities were foreign citizens, and survivors were transported to Hurghada hospitals via ambulances. Emergency services successfully rescued 39 individuals from the site of the submarine sinking.

• Submarine Operations: Sindbad Submarines’ website indicates they offer brief tourist excursions in their submarines, capable of reaching a maximum depth of 25 meters. These submarines are designed to allow tourists to experience the Red Sea’s underwater marine environment without getting wet.

The Russian embassy in Egypt has officially confirmed that all tourists aboard the ill-fated submarine were indeed Russian citizens.

According to a Facebook post by the embassy, the vessel was carrying 45 passengers, including children.

Early reports cited by BBC News mentioned four fatalities, a figure which has since been updated.

Akhbar Al-Youm, a state-owned Egyptian newspaper, stated on their website that all the deceased individuals were foreign nationals. They initially reported 19 injuries in addition to the fatalities.

The newspaper further indicated that investigations are currently underway to ascertain the cause of the submarine mishap. The injured victims and the bodies of the deceased have been transported to nearby medical facilities.

Hurghada, situated 460 kilometers (285 miles) southeast of Cairo, is a prominent tourist hub in Egypt, attracting numerous international visitors.

Egyptian authorities have initiated investigations, questioning the crew members to determine the factors that led to the submarine sinking, according to the Red Sea Governorate, citing Governor Amr Hanafy.

Governor Hanafy confirmed that the submarine, owned by an Egyptian entity, was properly licensed, as was its captain.

Recent months have seen several incidents involving tourist boats. In June of last year, a vessel capsized due to severe damage from rough seas, although no casualties were reported in that prior incident.

The submarine involved, named “Sindbad,” typically conducts tours lasting one to three hours. These underwater excursions usually cruise at depths of 20-25 metres (65-80 feet), featuring panoramic windows for observing marine life, as detailed on the website associated with the operating company identified by the Russian consulate.

The Sindbad Submarine company has not yet responded to requests for comment, according to reports.

The official website for Sindbad Submarines, the operator of the submarine that sank in the Red Sea, appears to be currently offline.

It remains unclear whether the website is intentionally taken down or experiencing technical issues.

Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Viktor Voropaev, a Russian official in Hurghada, stated to the BBC that at least five Russian citizens perished in the submarine incident, including two minors.

The Guardian has not yet been able to independently confirm these specific details.

Recent reports indicate that emergency response teams successfully rescued at least 39 Russian passengers from the sunken “Sindbad” submarine.

The Russian consulate in Hurghada indicated that a total of 45 Russian nationals were aboard the Sindbad submarine, which operates from a hotel bearing the same name.

While the submarine has a passenger capacity of 50, the exact number of crew members and other tourists on board at the time of the sinking remains unconfirmed.

Sindbad Submarines, the company operating the sunken vessel, asserts ownership of two out of only “14 real recreational submarines worldwide.”

According to their website, their submarines offer explorations of “500 metres of coral reef and its marine inhabitants,” a depth that contradicts other reports mentioning a 25-meter maximum depth.

The underlying cause of the submarine’s sinking is still undetermined. Verified information regarding the cause will be posted as it becomes available.

Below is a map illustrating the location of the submarine sinking in the Red Sea.

Hurghada, a popular resort destination about 280 miles (460 kilometers) southeast of Egypt’s capital, Cairo, serves as a major entry point for tourists visiting Egypt. Its airport accommodated over nine million passengers in the previous year, based on state media reports.

The precise cause of the tourist submarine sinking is yet to be officially determined.

A previous maritime incident in November saw four fatalities and 33 rescues after a tourist diving vessel encountered high waves and sank rapidly.

In June, another vessel sank due to storm-related damage, according to the environment ministry at the time, with no reported casualties.

However, weather conditions in Hurghada on Thursday were reportedly clear, with higher than average winds but optimal underwater visibility, contrasting with previous incident contexts.