According to Egyptian authorities, 16 people are currently unaccounted for following the capsizing of a tourist vessel in the Red Sea close to Marsa Alam, Egypt. Twelve of the missing boat passengers are foreign tourists.
The boat, identified as Sea Story, sank during a multi-day diving trip while with 44 on board, which included 31 tourists and 13 crew members. As reported by the Red Sea Governorate, 28 boat passengers were rescued with minor injuries in the aftermath of the incident.
The vessel had set sail from Porto Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday and was expected to return to Hurghada Marina on November 29. A distress signal was transmitted at 5:30 AM local time, and survivors were found in the vicinity of the Wadi el-Gemal area, situated south of Marsa Alam.
The boat capsized near the Sataya Reef after it was struck by high waves and sank in five to seven minutes.
According to Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi, some passengers were in their cabins, which prevented them from escaping.
The Egyptian Navy warship El Fateh, along with several military aircraft, is engaged in a comprehensive search operation for the missing individuals, with rescue teams working tirelessly. As reported by Ahram Online, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority has issued alerts concerning rough sea conditions, recommending the suspension of maritime activities on Sunday and Monday due to wave heights reaching up to four meters (13 feet) in the Red Sea.
Among the foreign nationals on board the vessel were individuals from Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and China. While the identities of the missing persons remain unverified, it has been confirmed that four Egyptians are among those who are unaccounted for.
The Sea Story had successfully undergone a technical inspection in March 2024, obtaining a one-year safety certificate. This incident marks the second maritime accident in the region this year. In June, another vessel sank near Marsa Alam due to severe waves, although no casualties were reported.
The Red Sea, renowned for its stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life, is a favored destination for diving enthusiasts and is vital to Egypt’s tourism sector.
In 2023, a fire on a motorboat off Marsa Alam resulted in three British tourists going missing, while 12 others were rescued. A comparable tragedy occurred near Egypt in 2016, when a boat carrying approximately 600 migrants sank in the Mediterranean, resulting in at least 170 fatalities.
