A tourist yacht sank off the coast of Egypt, leaving at least 16 people missing, including four Britons. The boat, named Sea Story, was carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew members when it was hit by a wave and capsized. A rescue operation managed to save 28 people, but the search continues for the missing individuals.
The boat was a 144-foot vessel built in 2022 and had departed from Port Ghalib on Saturday. It was scheduled to return to Hurghada Marina on November 29. The cause of the sinking is still unknown, but the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings about rough weather and large waves in the area.
Survivors of the tragic incident were airlifted for medical treatment, and efforts are being made to locate the missing passengers. The British Foreign Office is providing consular support to the families of the British nationals involved in the incident.
In addition to the Britons, Chinese and Polish nationals were also on board the yacht. The Chinese embassy reported that two nationals were safe, while the Polish foreign ministry confirmed that two tourists with potential Polish citizenship were among the passengers. Unfortunately, one Finnish national remains missing.
The Sea Story yacht, owned by Dive pro Liveaboard, was equipped with safety jackets and rafts, but the rough conditions may have contributed to the tragic event. The Red Sea governor, Amr Hanafi, spoke to survivors and expressed the difficulty of the situation, as hope for rescuing the missing individuals dwindles.
As the search and rescue operation continues, the focus remains on locating the remaining passengers and determining the cause of the yacht’s sinking. The tragic incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea and the importance of adhering to weather warnings and safety protocols while engaging in maritime activities.
