Rescuers recently helped survivors of a tourist yacht that capsized off the Red Sea coast of Egypt. Four bodies have been recovered, with two Britons feared missing. The boat, which sank after being hit by a huge wave, had 31 tourists of various nationalities and 13 crew members on board.
Rescue teams have found three survivors – two Belgian tourists and an Egyptian – bringing the total number of survivors to 31. Fortunately, all 28 survivors escaped with only minor injuries and did not require hospitalization. They are currently receiving consular assistance at a hotel in Marsa Alam.
Although the cause of the boat’s capsize has not been confirmed, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings about rough weather in the area. The boat, known as Sea Story, was a liveaboard diving vessel popular for taking tourists to exciting underwater locations in the Red Sea.
The boat had enough safety rafts for everyone on board, according to its specifications. However, some passengers were reportedly stuck in their cabins when the boat capsized. Despite the tragic incident, all necessary safety permits for the boat had been obtained, ruling out a technical defect as the cause.
This incident is not the first of its kind in the Red Sea, as a similar incident occurred in June 2023, where three British tourists lost their lives in a diving boat fire. In response to this latest tragedy, rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining missing individuals, including the two Britons.
The Egyptian military, along with the Red Sea Governorate, are coordinating the rescue operation, with armed forces aircraft deployed to the scene. Embassies from various countries have confirmed that they are offering consular assistance to their nationals involved in the incident.
As the search for the missing individuals continues, our thoughts are with the survivors and the families of those affected by this tragic event. Your support helps us continue to bring you updates on this developing story.
