At least six people are feared dead and nine others injured after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Egyptian resort city along the Red Sea.
Here are the key points about the incident:
Casualties and rescues
- Six people are feared dead, while nine others sustained injuries, including four in critical condition.
- Twenty-nine passengers were rescued and taken to safety.
- Ambulances and emergency services were deployed to the scene, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals.
All tourists were Russian
- The Russian Embassy in Egypt said the vessel, owned by the Sindbad Hotel, was carrying 45 Russian tourists, including minors, along with crew members.
- All the passengers were part of a tour organized by “Biblio Globus” and its Egyptian partner, “Biblio Globus Egypt Tours.”
- Diplomats from the Russian General Consulate are currently stationed at the Sindbad hotel pier, monitoring the situation.
The Submarine and its operator
- The submarine, called Sindbad, has been operating for years as a tourist attraction in Hurghada.
- It offers 45 passenger seats and large viewing windows for underwater sightseeing, according to promotional materials by Sinbad Club, the company believed to operate the vessel.
- Advertisements described the experience as providing “air-conditioned comfort and safety.”
Incident timeline and rescue efforts
- The submarine reportedly sank around 1 pm local time near Hurghada’s harbor.
- The Egyptian Navy, Coast Guard, and rescue teams were swiftly deployed.
- Search and rescue operations remain ongoing, with authorities working to recover any remaining passengers.
Safety concerns and past issues
- Reports suggest the
Sindbad submarine had experienced technical issues in the past, raising concerns about its safety. - An official investigation is underway to determine the cause of the sinking and evaluate the submarine’s maintenance record.
Impact on Egypt’s tourism industry
- Hurghada is a major tourist hub, especially for European visitors, and incidents like this raise concerns about the safety of tourist activities.
- Authorities may face increasing pressure to impose stricter regulations on underwater tourism in the wake of the disaster.
- The investigation continues as rescue teams remain on-site, and questions grow about the safety standards of deep-sea tourism in Egypt.