Egypt submarine sinking: Crew questioned after six vacationers killed

Egyptian authorities have questioned the crew of a vacationer submarine which sank within the Crimson Sea killing six of the 45 passengers on board.

The 39 different passengers, and 5 crew have been rescued on Thursday after the Sindbad vessel foundered at about 10:00 native time (08:00 GMT), officers say. 9 individuals have been injured, together with 4 critically.

The group had been on board the sightseeing vessel, viewing coral reefs off the resort city of Hurghada.

Two kids have been among the many six Russian vacationers killed, Russian media reported. The reason for the incident is as but unclear.

The Sindbad had been in operation as a vacationer submarine for various years.

The Crimson Sea governor, Amr Hanafy, stated the 45 passengers on the Sindbad have been from Russia, India, Norway and Sweden. 5 Egyptian crew members have been additionally on board.

Mr Hanafy stated the six who died have been all Russian, however full particulars of the victims haven’t but been launched.

Two married medical doctors have been amongst those that had died and their daughters have been in hospital, authorities stated.

Mr Hanafy stated the submarine concerned had a sound licence and the crew chief obtained the proper “scientific certificates”.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Affiliation of Tour Operators of Russia stated in a Telegram put up the submarine had hit a reef and subsequently misplaced strain whereas at a depth of 20 metres (65 toes).

Russian vacationers play a rising position in Egypt’s tourism sector – a lifeline to the nation’s ailing economic system.

The town of Hurghada is positioned to the south-east of Cairo – a vacationer vacation spot recognized for its seashores and coral reefs.

The submarine was geared up with massive portholes to let passengers see the Crimson Sea’s spectacular corals and marine life, and was in a position to descend to a depth of 25 metres (82 toes), in accordance with Sindbad Submarines’ web site.

Dr James Aldridge from Bristol took the identical journey on the submarine in February 2025. He advised the BBC: “The sub was well-maintained and was as proven within the promotional images.

“Contemporary paint, fashionable tools and with attentive {and professional} English-speaking employees (together with two divers to accompany you down).”

He defined passengers listened to a security briefing, which had been recorded in a number of languages, and stated that life jackets weren’t issued.

“We toured the reef for 40 minutes. For the primary 20 I used to be dealing with the reef, the sub by no means strayed ‘too shut’ and I by no means felt unsafe.

“For the return journey, I used to be dealing with the ocean,” he added.

It is the second incident within the Crimson Sea in round six months.

Final November, a ship named Sea Story carrying greater than 40 individuals additionally sank close to the Egyptian resort of Marsa Allam, with 11 individuals unaccounted, or presumed lifeless.

Causes behind this newest tragedy will not be clear but. However the frequency of such incidents elevate massive questions on security measures employed by native authorities, in such widespread vacationer sea tour areas, and whether or not or not correct security checks are being carried out.