Sixteen missing after tourist boat sinks in Red Sea

Rescue efforts for those who survived the sinking of a tourist boat in the Red Sea.

Egyptian officials report that 16 individuals are unaccounted for, including some from abroad, while 28 others have been saved following the capsizing of a tourist boat in the Red Sea.

According to information from the BBC, two of the individuals who are unaccounted for are from Britain. Finland has reported that one of its citizens is among those missing, and officials have stated that four Egyptians are also untraceable at this time.

According to the governor of the Red Sea region, a vessel carrying 44 individuals, which includes 13 crew members, issued a call for help at 5:30 AM local time (3:30 AM GMT).

Officials have not specified what might have caused the incident, but reports from passengers onboard suggested that a wave struck the boat, leading it to overturn. Weather experts had advised against engaging in maritime activities on Sunday and Monday.

Medical personnel stand by at the location while the search operations carry on.

Officials reported that the Sea Story departed from the port close to Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving adventure.

The Governor of the Red Sea, Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi, reported that the people who survived were located in the Wadi el-Gemal region, situated south of Marsa Alam, and they are currently being provided with the medical assistance they need.

He mentioned that the Egyptian Navy warship El Fateh and military planes have stepped up their search efforts for the missing individuals, with rescue teams operating non-stop.

On Saturday, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned of rough conditions in the Mediterranean and Red Seas because of the weather.

They reported that wind speeds ranged from 37 to 43 miles per hour (60 to 70 kilometers per hour), with waves reaching heights of three to four meters (10 to 13 feet).

The local authorities in Marsa Alam reported that the Sea Story crew is made up entirely of Egyptian nationals. The passengers on the boat included five individuals from Spain, four from the UK, four from Germany, and two from the United States.

It's not certain who has been saved and who is still unaccounted for, but the latest updates from the Red Sea governorate indicate that four Egyptians are still missing.

The Finnish foreign ministry has verified to the AFP news agency that one of its citizens is among those who are unaccounted for.

A representative from the UK Foreign Office stated that they are in communication with local authorities and are offering assistance to several British citizens and their families in relation to an event that occurred in Egypt.

According to the AFP news agency, the Chinese embassy in Egypt stated that two of its citizens are "doing well" after their rescue, as reported by the country's state media.

In the meantime, Pawel Wronski, a spokesperson for the Polish foreign ministry, informed the state-operated news agency PAP that officials have received reports suggesting that two Polish individuals might have been on the boat.

On Monday, Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi, the Governor of the Red Sea, paid a visit to those who survived.

It is said that the Sea Story set sail from a port close to Marsa Alam, Egypt, on Sunday.

Previous updates from Egyptian officials indicated that there were 45 individuals aboard the Sea Story at the time it went down, comprising 14 crew members and 31 tourists.

Marsa Alam is a favored spot for travelers along the southern coast of the Red Sea in Egypt, known for its abundance of diving locations and famous coral reefs.

The Red Sea governorate reported that the vessel belonged to an Egyptian citizen and had obtained a one-year validity certificate in March 2024 after passing a maritime safety inspection.

Hanafi stated that there were no mechanical issues when the incident occurred. He also mentioned that survivors reported the boat overturned after being struck by a massive wave, and the whole event took only five to seven minutes.

He also went to Marsa Alam to meet the rescued individuals and mentioned that they were all doing well, with no one requiring hospitalization. He noted that the passengers are currently being accommodated at a local tourist hotel.

Dive Pro Liveaboard, the Egypt-based owner and operator of Sea Story, has not provided any comments at this time.

According to the information on its website, the ship was constructed in 2022 and measures 44 meters (or 144 feet) in length. It features four decks and has 18 cabins, capable of hosting a total of 36 passengers.

Last year, three British individuals lost their lives near Marsa Alam when their diving boat went up in flames.