Four bodies have been recovered following the capsizing of a tourist boat off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, with rescue teams continuing the search for seven missing individuals, according to a statement by the Red Sea Governorate.
The boat, identified as Sea Story, sank on Monday near Sataya Reef after being struck by high waves during rough weather conditions. It carried 31 tourists and 13 crew members on a multi-day diving trip. The vessel reportedly sank within five to seven minutes.
Rescue teams have found a total of 33 survivors, including five people who were pulled from the sea on Tuesday. The survivors include two Belgian tourists, one Swiss national, one Finnish national, and an Egyptian. The 28 other survivors, rescued with minor injuries on Monday, are currently staying at a hotel in Marsa Alam, where authorities and embassies are providing support and documentation.
Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi stated that the Sea Story had passed its last safety inspection in March without any technical issues. The 34-meter-long vessel, owned by an Egyptian national, held a valid one-year safety certificate issued by the Maritime Safety Authority.
The incident occurred amid harsh weather conditions, with wave heights reaching 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) and wind speeds of 34 knots, prompting the Egyptian Red Sea Ports Authority to close maritime traffic on Sunday.
This marks the second boat to sink in the area this year. In June, another vessel suffered severe damage from strong waves, though no casualties were reported. The Red Sea, celebrated for its vibrant coral reefs and marine biodiversity, remains a vital hub for Egypt’s tourism industry, a key pillar of the nation’s economy.
