Egyptian authorities have formally declared seven individuals—five of them foreign nationals—dead following the capsizing of a tourist vessel in the Red Sea last November.
A decree issued by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, published in Egypt’s official gazette on Sunday, confirmed the presumed deaths of two British and two Polish tourists, one German citizen, and two Egyptian nationals who were aboard the ill-fated dive boat Sea Story.
The incident occurred near Sataya Reef when the vessel, carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew members on a multi-day diving expedition, was overwhelmed by high waves and capsized within minutes. Four bodies were recovered shortly after the disaster, while the remaining victims had been missing until now.
Authorities reported that the Sea Story had successfully passed a routine safety inspection just eight months before the accident. The 34-meter vessel, owned by an Egyptian national, had been issued a one-year safety certificate by the Maritime Safety Authority. Despite these assurances, the vessel succumbed to severe weather conditions, with officials attributing the tragedy to rough seas.
This was the second maritime incident in the area last year. In June, another tourist boat sustained heavy damage from strong waves, though no casualties were reported. Earlier in the year, a separate incident involving a sightseeing submarine near Hurghada resulted in the deaths of six Russian tourists.
The Red Sea region remains a key attraction for international tourists due to its vibrant coral reefs and marine biodiversity. Tourism is a vital sector for Egypt’s economy, making such incidents particularly impactful for both national safety standards and international perceptions of the country’s tourist infrastructure.
