Incident Occurred Near Popular Resort of Hurghada
Six Russian tourists died, and 39 others were rescued after a tourist submarine sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast near Hurghada, officials confirmed.
According to Egypt’s Red Sea governorate, all those who perished were Russian nationals. The incident involved a recreational vessel operated by Sindbad Submarines and occurred in waters near the Marriott Hotel resort in Hurghada. Officials reported that no passengers remained missing.
Investigation Underway
Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the sinking. Red Sea Province Governor Amr Hanafy stated that the submarine was licensed, as was its captain. Crew members are being questioned as part of the inquiry.
Conflicting Reports on Casualties
The Russian consulate in Hurghada initially reported that four people had died but did not specify their nationalities. However, Egyptian authorities later confirmed six fatalities. Reports from municipal officials, cited by Reuters and the Associated Press, stated that all those who died were foreigners.
Emergency responders transported survivors to local hospitals. The governorate reported that 29 people were successfully rescued.
Sindbad Submarines’ Operations and Website Status
Sindbad Submarines operates short tourist excursions, typically descending to depths of 20–25 meters to provide panoramic views of marine life. The company’s website, which previously advertised these tours, appears to be inactive following the incident. It is unclear whether the site has been taken down or is experiencing technical issues.
Regional Travel Concerns
Many tourism companies have recently halted or limited travel in the Red Sea due to safety concerns arising from conflicts in the region. The full impact of this latest incident on the area’s tourism industry remains uncertain.
Egyptian authorities continue their investigation into the tragedy.
