Dozens of tourists have been reported missing after a boat sank off the coast of Egypt during a “five-day diving trip”. The Sea Story is thought to have sunk close to a popular diving destination called Shaab Sataya, off the coast of the tourist resort of Marsa Alam.
It is understood that the captain was taking the divers around the coast this morning when the ship experienced an as yet unknown issue. At around 5.30am, a member of the crew raised the alarm and the coastguard was sent out to try track down the missing people.
According to the governor of Egypt’s Red Sea province, 45 people were reported missing after the vessel sank, with British nationals among them. Local reports said that a helicopter and naval units were involved in the rescue effort, reports the Mirror.
The passengers had been on a multi-day diving trip in the Red Sea, which is considered as one of the best diving destinations in the world. The ship left from the port of Ghalib in Marsa Alam yesterday, with an expected arrival at Hurghada Marina on Friday.
On board were 31 tourists of different nationalities, with an additional 14 crew members, who are reportedly Egyptian nationals. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the office of the Governor for the Egyptian Red Sea province have been contacted for comment on the sinking.
A frantic search operation involving Egypt’s navy got underway with a helicopter scouring the waves from above. Amr Hanafy, governor of the Red Sea region, said that search and rescue planes had been used to lift 16 people from the ocean before transporting them to local hospitals.
The remainder were forced to stay at the boat’s last-known position, awaiting the arrival of Al-Fateh, an Egyptian warship, to take them to safety. Air and naval units were continuing to search for the missing tourists, he added.
The governor could not provide an accurate toll on the number of fatalities, injuries, and survivors. The nationalities of those involved in the incident also remains unknown at this time. Hanafy told locals and foreigners to avoid the site as rescue workers comb the ocean for survivors.
According to liveaboard.com, who book spaces on the vessel, the Sea Story ship is a 144ft-long liveaboard ship that sails around the Red Sea. It’s believed to accommodate as many as 32 passengers in its 18 air-conditioned and en-suite twin rooms. Facilities on board include a fully-equipped restaurant, honeymoon suites, TV and sound system.
The firm offer several different trips, including the wrecks and “vibrant reeds” of the North Reefs, or the Deep South, which is best for “shark action and remote diving,” with trips starting at £126 per day. Sea Story operator Diver Pro Liveaboard says it is aware of a situation unfolding but declined to offer any more information or details.
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