On Monday, Egyptian authorities announced that they had rescued 28 people from a sunken cruise ship on the Red Sea coast, but 17 people are still missing, with search efforts ongoing. The luxury yacht was carrying 45 people, including 31 tourists from different countries and 14 crew members. As of Monday afternoon local time, the cause of the accident and the casualties have yet to be determined.
According to a statement from the authorities, at 5:30 a.m. local time (3:30 a.m. GMT) on Monday, the Red Sea Regional Control Center received a distress signal from the “Sea Story” vessel.
The ship had departed from Port Ghalib Marina near Marsa Alam on Saturday for a five-day diving trip, with 31 tourists and 14 crew members on board.
Governor Amr Hanafi stated that survivors were found in the Wadi el-Gemal area south of Marsa Alam, with some survivors airlifted to hospitals for medical care, while others awaited the navy’s assistance to be brought back to shore by rescue ships.
Hanafi added that the Egyptian navy warship El Fateh and military aircraft are intensifying efforts to search for the missing persons.
Marsa Alam is a popular tourist destination along the southern Red Sea coast of Egypt, known for its many diving spots, including famous coral reefs.
The Egyptian owner of the Sea Story and operator Dive Pro Liveaboard did not immediately comment on the incident.
The company’s website indicates that the vessel was built in 2022, measuring 44 meters (144 feet) in length, with four decks and 18 cabins, accommodating up to 36 passengers.