A diving trip off the scenic southern coast of Egypt’s Red Sea turned into a nightmare as a tourist boat, the Sea Story, sank, leaving 17 people missing and 28 others rescued. Among the missing are two British nationals and a Finnish citizen, as search and rescue operations continue.
The vessel, carrying 31 tourists and 14 crew members—all Egyptians—sent out a distress signal early Monday morning at 05:30 (03:30 GMT). Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the sinking, though adverse weather conditions, including high winds and turbulent seas, are believed to have played a role.
Survivors Rescued Amid Challenging Conditions
Rescuers discovered the survivors near Wadi el-Gemal, south of Marsa Alam, a well-known diving destination. Red Sea Governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi confirmed that the survivors are receiving medical care. “Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the navy and the armed forces,” he stated, as the Egyptian Navy warship El Fateh and military aircraft intensify efforts to locate those still missing.
Dangerous Weather May Have Played a Role
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings of turbulent seas over the weekend, with wind speeds reaching 60-70 km/h and waves as high as four meters. These challenging conditions prompted warnings against marine activities on Sunday and Monday.
According to a local diving resort staff member, a rescued crew member recounted that a large wave hit the vessel in the middle of the night, causing it to capsize.
Diverse Passengers Aboard
The Sea Story was carrying an international group of tourists, including five Spaniards, four British nationals, four Germans, and two Americans. Among the rescued were two Chinese nationals, confirmed to be in good health by the Chinese embassy in Egypt.
Polish authorities are investigating reports that two Polish citizens were also aboard. The Finnish foreign ministry has confirmed that one of its nationals is among the missing, while the UK’s Foreign Office is working with Egyptian authorities and supporting the families of those affected.
A Region with a Troubled Maritime History
This incident is the latest tragedy in a region that has seen other maritime accidents. Marsa Alam, renowned for its coral reefs and diving spots, has long been a popular destination for international tourists. Last year, three British nationals lost their lives when a dive boat caught fire off the same coast.
The Sea Story, described on its operator’s website as a state-of-the-art vessel built in 2022, was equipped with modern facilities, including 18 cabins across its four decks. However, no comment has been made yet by its operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard.
Search Efforts Continue
As authorities work tirelessly to locate the missing, this incident highlights the dangers of marine activities in unpredictable weather conditions. For now, the focus remains on finding the missing and providing support to the survivors and their families.
The tragedy casts a shadow over Egypt’s thriving Red Sea tourism industry, which relies heavily on its reputation as a diving and marine paradise.
