Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Submarine Incident in Egypt’s Red Sea Results in Tourist Fatalities
A sightseeing submarine in Egypt’s Red Sea experienced a sinking incident, tragically resulting in fatalities among tourists while the crew reportedly escaped.
Sightseeing Vessel Sinks Near Hurghada
Authorities in Egypt are investigating the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Sindbad submarine. The vessel reportedly encountered trouble and sank during a coral reef excursion near Hurghada, a popular beach destination in southeastern Egypt, according to media reports.
Casualties Reported, Investigation Launched
Out of the 45 passengers aboard, six tourists, including two children, perished in the incident. An additional nine individuals sustained injuries. Emergency responders successfully rescued 39 passengers and all five crew members from the sinking vessel.
Among the deceased tourists were a married couple who were both doctors. Their daughters are reportedly hospitalized and in critical condition following the submarine mishap.
Reputable Operator Involved in Submarine Tragedy
Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy indicated that the entire crew of the Sindbad submarine was Egyptian. Passengers were of diverse nationalities, including Indian, Norwegian, Swedish, and Russian. Notably, all reported fatalities were Russian, and the exact cause of the sinking remains under scrutiny.
Unlike the widely publicized OceanGate submersible incident, Sindbad Submarines is described as a company with a long-standing and positive reputation in the Red Sea tourism sector. Governor Hanafy stated that the submarine possessed the necessary licenses and that the captain held valid operational certifications, adding to the загадочность surrounding this unfortunate event.
Red Sea Region Experiences Multiple Maritime Mishaps
Regrettably, this submarine sinking is not an isolated maritime tragedy in the Red Sea area recently.
In late November, a tourist yacht named “Sea Story” capsized near Marsa Alam, another resort town roughly 200 miles from Hurghada. Over 40 people were aboard the yacht at the time. Rescue operations for the “Sea Story” lasted 36 hours, resulting in the recovery of four bodies from the wreckage, with seven individuals still missing and presumed dead.
Related Maritime News
Dolphins Appear as Astronauts Splash Down in Ocean