Egyptian authorities have confirmed that 16 people are missing, including several foreign nationals, after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea.
At least 28 survivors have been rescued following the incident, which occurred on Sunday. Among the missing are two British nationals, one Finnish citizen, and four Egyptians, with the identities of the others still unclear.
The boat, named Sea Story, was carrying 44 people, including 13 crew members. It sent out a distress signal at around 05:30 local time (03:30 GMT). The boat had set off from Marsa Alam for a five-day diving trip. Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the sinking, but survivors have reported that the boat capsized after being struck by a large wave. Weather warnings had been issued for the weekend, predicting rough sea conditions with strong winds and high waves.
The boat was found near Wadi el-Gemal, south of Marsa Alam, and the survivors are receiving medical care. Egyptian Navy vessels, including the warship El Fateh, and military aircraft have been deployed to search for those still missing, with rescue teams working around the clock. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had forecast rough seas in the region, with wind speeds of 37-43 mph (60-70 km/h) and waves of up to 13 feet (4 meters).
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The passengers on board included tourists from several countries: five from Spain, four from the UK, four from Germany, and two from the United States. The crew members were all Egyptian. The boat was owned by an Egyptian company and had passed a safety inspection in March 2024, receiving a certificate of validity.
The Finnish Foreign Ministry confirmed that one of its citizens was among the missing, while the UK Foreign Office has been in contact with local authorities and offering support to British nationals. The Chinese embassy confirmed that two of its citizens were among those rescued and reported to be in good health. The Polish foreign ministry also stated that two Polish nationals may have been on board.
Marsa Alam is a popular tourist destination known for its diving spots and coral reefs. The boat, built in 2022, was 144 feet long and could accommodate up to 36 passengers. No technical faults were reported at the time of the sinking, and survivors indicated that the boat capsized within five to seven minutes of being struck by the wave.
This incident follows a similar tragedy last year when three British nationals died after a dive boat caught fire off the coast of Marsa Alam.
