Three dead, 13 missing after tourist boat capsizes in Egypt’s Red sea

A tourist boat, Sea Story, capsized near Egypt's Sataya Reef, leaving three dead and 13 missing. The vessel, carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew on a diving trip, sank within minutes due to high waves. Rescue efforts continue as survivors recover in Marsa Alam.

Three bodies were recovered on Tuesday morning from a tourist boat that capsized off the coast of Egypt in the Red Sea, with rescue teams still searching for 13 people reported missing, according to Amr Hanafi, the Red Sea provincial governor, speaking to Reuters.

The vessel, named the Sea Story, overturned on Monday near the Sataya Reef while carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew members on a multi-day diving excursion. High waves caused it to sink within five to seven minutes. A statement from the Red Sea Governorate on Monday indicated that 16 passengers were thought to have been trapped inside.

Twenty-eight individuals were rescued with only minor injuries, none of which required hospitalisation. The survivors were accommodated in a hotel in Marsa Alam, where authorities were coordinating with embassies and consulates to provide support and arrange documentation.

Hanafi confirmed that the boat had successfully passed its last safety inspection in March 2024, with no technical issues flagged. Owned by an Egyptian national, the 34-metre vessel had been issued a one-year safety certificate by the Maritime Safety Authority. The accident occurred amidst challenging weather conditions, with the Egyptian Red Sea Ports Authority reporting wave heights of 3-4 metres (10-13 feet) and wind speeds of 34 knots in the area on Sunday, prompting the suspension of maritime traffic.

This marks the second sinking in the region this year; in June, another vessel sustained severe damage due to rough seas, though no casualties were reported.

The Red Sea, celebrated for its coral reefs and vibrant marine life, is a key destination for Egypt's tourism sector, which is vital to the nation’s economy.

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