Four bodies have been found in a tragic incident involving a tourist boat that capsized off the Red Sea coast of Egypt, with nine individuals still unaccounted for, as reported by the local governor, Amr Hanafi. The boat, known as Sea Story, was carrying 30 tourists from different countries and 14 crew members when it sank after being hit by high waves, sinking in less than seven minutes.
The distress signal was sent out at 5:30 am local time on Monday, with no information released yet on the nationalities of the recovered bodies. The missing individuals include both Egyptians and foreigners. Reports from survivors indicated that the boat was struck by sudden, fast-moving waves, leading to it capsizing. Some passengers were reportedly inside the cabins when the incident occurred.
The weather forecast had warned of rough waters and strong winds prior to the incident. Out of the total 44 people onboard, including 13 Egyptians and 31 foreign nationals from various countries, 28 were rescued on Monday near Marsa Alam, with some requiring medical attention. Two British nationals were among those rescued, with the UK Foreign Office providing support to them and their families.
Additional rescue operations on Tuesday led to the retrieval of three more individuals, including one Egyptian and two Belgians. An Irish citizen who was on board the boat was confirmed to be safe, receiving consular assistance. Five Spanish nationals were also rescued and reported to be out of danger, according to Spain’s foreign ministry.
The Red Sea is renowned for its coral reefs and is a significant tourist destination in Egypt. The Sea Story, constructed in 2022 with a capacity for 36 passengers, had undergone all necessary checks and obtained permits before the journey. Egypt’s meteorological authority had issued warnings about turbulent conditions in the Red Sea over the weekend, advising against maritime activities.
The Egyptian military, in coordination with local authorities, conducted rescue operations following the incident. The boat had no technical issues and had passed naval safety inspections in March before embarking on the five-day trip from Marsa Alam. The images shared on the governorate’s Facebook page showed rescued tourists interacting with the governor.
As the search continues for the missing individuals, the authorities are working diligently to ensure the safety of all those involved in the tragic incident. The support and cooperation from various countries and agencies are crucial in managing the aftermath of this devastating event.
