6 Dead as Tourist Submarine Sinks Off Egypt’s Coast: Officials

 

6 Dead as Tourist Submarine Sinks Off Egypt’s Coast: Officials

All Victims Were Russian Tourists, Authorities Confirm

A tragic incident off Egypt’s coast on Thursday resulted in six fatalities and left nine others injured after a tourist submarine sank, as reported by the Associated Press.

According to provincial authorities, who requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the press, all those who lost their lives were Russian nationals. The submarine had been carrying a total of 45 passengers at the time of the disaster.

The accident took place near a beach along the popular tourist promenade in the Red Sea resort town of Hurghada. Rescue teams managed to save 29 individuals from the sinking vessel.

Russian consular representatives in Hurghada confirmed the presence of minors among those aboard, though the exact number of crew members remains unknown, per AP reports.

The submarine, owned by the Sindbad Hotel in Hurghada, embarked on its scheduled coral reef exploration at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday. It submerged roughly half a mile from the shoreline before the incident occurred.

Sindbad Submarines, a Hurghada-based tourism company operating the vessel, describes the craft on its website as having seating for 44 passengers and two pilots, with each seat equipped with a round viewing window.

Those who were rescued were transported to local hospitals, where they are reported to be in stable condition, according to the Russian consulate.

The reason behind the submarine’s sinking has yet to be determined.

In a similar event last November, a tourist yacht capsized in the Red Sea following warnings about turbulent waters, as confirmed by Egyptian authorities. That accident resulted in at least four deaths, with 33 people rescued, while some remained missing. Two of the passengers onboard were American tourists.

Tourism remains a vital part of Egypt’s economy, but concerns over regional conflicts have led several travel companies to either suspend or scale back operations in the Red Sea area.