A tragic incident in the Red Sea has left 17 individuals missing, including foreign nationals, following the sinking of a tourist boat. Egyptian authorities have confirmed that 28 people were rescued after the vessel, named Sea Story, encountered distress during a diving expedition off the coast near Marsa Alam.
The alarm was raised at 5:30 AM local time (03:30 GMT) when the boat, carrying 31 tourists and 14 crew members, sent out an emergency signal. Red Sea Governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi reported that survivors were located in the Wadi el-Gemal area, where they are currently receiving medical assistance.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the incident, but efforts are being made to investigate further.
The search and rescue mission has mobilized significant resources. The Egyptian Navy’s warship El Fateh and military aircraft are actively participating in the operation to locate those still unaccounted for. Governor Hanafi underscored the collaboration between various branches of the armed forces to ensure a thorough search.
Reports indicate that among those rescued are two British tourists, while two others remain missing. The Finnish foreign ministry has also confirmed that one of its citizens is among those unaccounted for. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the British Foreign Office stated they are providing support to affected nationals and their families.
The Chinese embassy in Egypt has reported that two of its citizens were rescued and are currently safe.
Weather conditions may have played a role in this incident. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had warned of turbulent weather on both the Mediterranean and Red Seas, advising against marine activities over the weekend. Wind speeds reaching 60-70 km/h and wave heights of three to four meters could have contributed to hazardous conditions at sea.
The Sea Story had a diverse group of passengers onboard, including five Spanish tourists, four British tourists, four Germans, and two US nationals. As rescue operations continue, it remains unclear who among them has been rescued or who is still missing.
Marsa Alam is known for its stunning diving spots and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for tourists exploring Egypt’s southern coastline.
As search efforts persist, authorities remain committed to locating those missing while ensuring support for survivors and their families during this challenging time.
Trump’s Tariff Plans: A Day-One Agenda Against Drug and Human Trafficking In a bold move to combat drug and human smuggling, President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose significant tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China immediately after his inauguration on January 20.
Government Unveils “Get Britain Working” Initiative to Combat Unemployment In a bid to rejuvenate the UK job market, the government has introduced its ambitious “Get Britain Working” initiative, promising extensive reforms aimed at reducing the benefits bill and increasing employment.