A tragic incident occurred in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt when a tourist submarine sank, resulting in the deaths of six people. The submarine, named Sindbad, went down early Thursday morning near Hurghada, a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful coral reefs.
The local governor, Amr Hanafy, reported that there were 45 people on board at the time of the sinking. Among those rescued, 39 individuals were saved, with nine sustaining injuries and four in critical condition. Thankfully, no one is reported missing.
The passengers included tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, alongside five Egyptians. All six fatalities were Russian nationals, including two children. Initially, the Russian embassy had stated that all the tourists were from Russia, which has since been clarified.
The Sindbad submarine has been a staple for tourists wanting to explore the underwater beauty of the Red Sea. It offers excursions that allow passengers to view coral reefs and marine life at depths of up to 25 meters. The company operating the submarine claims to have two of the few recreational submarines in the world, each accommodating 44 passengers and two pilots.
Witnesses and past passengers have shared their experiences with the Sindbad submarines. One passenger, Dr. James Aldridge, described a previous trip as safe and enjoyable, noting that the submarine was well-organized and not overcrowded. However, another passenger, Benjamin Grey, reported issues during his trip, including the submarine surfacing multiple times and a lack of safety briefings.
The submarine sank approximately 1 kilometer from the shore, just outside the harbor. The incident occurred around 10:00 AM local time, in calm weather conditions. Egyptian authorities are currently investigating the cause of the sinking. Governor Hanafy mentioned that the submarine had a valid license and that the crew was properly certified.
This event adds to a troubling pattern of incidents involving tourist vessels in the Red Sea. Just last November, another tourist boat sank in the same area, resulting in the loss of 11 lives. Safety concerns have been raised in the past, and this recent tragedy may prompt renewed scrutiny of regulations and practices for tourist excursions in the region.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus remains on understanding how this accident happened and ensuring the safety of future excursions for tourists in Egypt.