Seventeen people, including foreign tourists, are missing after a tourist yacht, Sea Story, capsized early Monday off Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Authorities confirmed that 28 others were rescued, including crew members and tourists of various nationalities.
The yacht had been on a multi-day diving trip, departing from Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam on Sunday and scheduled to reach Hurghada by Friday. The vessel sent a distress call at 5:30 am local time, according to the Red Sea governorate.
Governor Amr Hanafi stated that rescue operations, involving aircraft and a warship, are ongoing in coordination with Egypt’s navy and armed forces. Survivors were transported to safety, but the fate of the missing remains uncertain after over 12 hours in the water.
Among the rescued are two Chinese nationals, confirmed by Beijing’s embassy, while Finland and Poland have reported their citizens are among the missing. Poland’s foreign ministry said two of the tourists may have been Polish nationals, but further details remain unavailable.
The cause of the accident has not been officially determined. A surviving crew member reported that the vessel was hit by a wave during the night, causing it to capsize.
Marine activities in Hurghada had been suspended on Sunday due to bad weather, but conditions around Marsa Alam were reportedly calm until late that evening.
A local diving resort manager suggested that hopes of finding the missing alive are diminishing due to the extended time spent in the water.
Egypt’s Red Sea coast is a popular diving destination, attracting tourists from around the world. While safety standards for dive boats are generally strong, enforcement can be inconsistent.
This year, several similar incidents have occurred in the region, including two non-fatal boat accidents near Marsa Alam and the safe rescue of 30 passengers from a sinking vessel earlier this month. However, accidents like the Sea Story and a fire last year that claimed the lives of three British tourists highlight ongoing safety challenges.
