Marsa Alam, Egypt – A tourist boat carrying 31 passengers and 14 crew members capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast on Monday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. By Tuesday, rescue teams had saved two Belgian nationals and one Egyptian citizen, while 10 others remain missing. The boat, named Sea Story, had set sail from Porto Ghalib Marina south of Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving trip before sinking in the early hours of Monday.
Rescue efforts, aided by the Egyptian Navy and Air Force, have so far located 28 survivors, including tourists from various nationalities. The identities of the survivors have not been disclosed, and their medical conditions remain unclear. Authorities have also confirmed the recovery of four bodies from the water, though it is not yet known whether they were among the missing passengers or crew.
The boat, which was en route to Hurghada Marina, sent out a distress signal at approximately 5:30 a.m. Cairo local time on Monday, shortly before sinking after being struck by high waves. Witnesses reported that the boat went down in just 5–7 minutes. Survivors were able to escape their cabins before the vessel submerged.
Governor Amr Hanafi of the Red Sea province dismissed the possibility of technical malfunctions, stating that the yacht had passed its last annual maritime safety inspection in March 2024. The incident occurred during rough seas, with wave heights reaching 3–4 meters and wind speeds of 34 knots, conditions that led to the temporary closure of maritime traffic in the region.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings for turbulent weather in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, recommending suspension of maritime activities. Despite these advisories, the Sea Story proceeded with its voyage.
The local prosecution has opened an investigation into the incident, reviewing the boat’s official documents, crew and passenger records, and survivor testimonies to determine the cause of the sinking.
Tourism in Egypt’s Red Sea region, including popular resorts like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, remains a significant part of the nation’s economy, attracting many European visitors annually. However, the sinking raises concerns about the safety standards of boats operating in the area. Just earlier this month, 30 people survived a similar sinking near the Deadalus Reef, and in 2023, three British tourists died in a fire on another yacht in the region.
As rescue operations continue, the fate of the remaining missing tourists remains uncertain.
