Sixteen people, including 12 foreign nationals, are missing after a tourist boat capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast on Monday, according to local government officials. The boat, named Sea Story, was carrying 44 people on a multi-day diving trip when it sank near the town of Marsa Alam. The passengers included 31 tourists from various countries and 13 crew members.
The incident occurred around 5:30 AM local time (03:30 GMT). Preliminary reports suggest that a large wave struck the vessel, causing it to sink within five to seven minutes. The majority of passengers were caught off guard, with some in their cabins, making it difficult for them to escape.
The Egyptian Red Sea Governorate confirmed that 28 people were rescued, with only minor injuries reported. None of the survivors required hospitalization. Efforts to locate additional survivors are ongoing, with the Egyptian navy and army involved in the search operation.
The passengers aboard the 34-meter-long vessel were from a range of nationalities, including Americans, Belgians, British, Chinese, Finns, Germans, Irish, Poles, Slovakians, Spanish, and Swiss. The boat had departed from Port Ghalib on Sunday and was expected to return to Hurghada Marina on November 29.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had warned of turbulent seas over the weekend, forecasting wave heights of 3-6 meters in both the Red Sea and Mediterranean, and advising the suspension of maritime activities. It remains unclear how the boat was allowed to sail under such conditions.
The Red Sea is a popular destination for diving enthusiasts, known for its coral reefs and marine biodiversity, which are vital to Egypt’s tourism industry. This latest tragedy follows previous maritime incidents in the region, including a 2023 fire that left several British tourists stranded and a 2016 disaster in the Mediterranean, which claimed at least 170 lives.
