Two Britons are believed to be among the 16 missing individuals after a tragic incident where a boat sank in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast. The yacht, known as Sea Story, was carrying a total of 44 people, consisting of 31 tourists of various nationalities and 13 crew members. Authorities are currently conducting search efforts for the missing 16 individuals, which includes 12 foreign nationals and four Egyptians. Fortunately, 28 individuals have been rescued from the incident.
Preliminary reports suggest that the vessel capsized within five minutes due to a sudden large wave, leaving some passengers trapped in their cabins. The survivors who were rescued only suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scrapes, with no serious injuries requiring hospital treatment. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development office are offering consular support to British nationals involved in the incident and are working closely with local authorities.
The passengers aboard the 34-metre-long Sea Story represented a diverse group of nationalities, including Americans, Belgians, British, Chinese, Finns, Germans, Irish, Poles, Slovakians, Spanish, and Swiss. The vessel, owned by an Egyptian national, had all the necessary permits and had undergone naval safety checks in March. Despite having no technical issues, the boat sank near Marsa Alam during a multi-day diving trip due to rough weather conditions.
A distress call was received at 5.30 am local time on Monday, prompting rescue efforts to begin immediately. The boat was en route from Port Ghalib in Marsa Alam to Hurghada Marina when the incident occurred. Some survivors were rescued via helicopter airlift, while others awaited assistance at sea. The operators of Dive Pro Liveaboard in Hurghada, who run the yacht, have stated they have no further information on the situation.
The Sea Story, constructed in 2022 according to the manufacturer’s website, was a four-deck wooden-hulled motor yacht designed for diving excursions. The tragic event follows a warning issued by the Egyptian Meteorological Authority regarding turbulent weather conditions and high waves in the Red Sea. As a result, some tourist companies have suspended or limited operations in the region to ensure the safety of passengers amidst potential dangers from regional conflicts.
