Tragedy in Red Sea: Tourist Submarine Disaster Claims Six Lives Near Hurghada

A tourist submarine carrying 45 passengers sank off the Egyptian coast, resulting in six fatalities and nine injuries. Emergency crews rescued 29 individuals. The vessel, operated by Sindbad Submarines, was on a regular reef-viewing tour near Hurghada. The cause of the sinking remains unknown.

A tragic incident unfolded off the Egyptian coast Thursday when a tourist submarine carrying 45 passengers sank near the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, claiming six lives and injuring nine others. Rescue operations successfully saved 29 passengers from the sinking vessel.

The submarine, owned by the Sindbad hotel, embarked on its routine coral reef viewing expedition. The ill-fated journey began around 10 am and ended approximately one kilometer from the shoreline. While the exact number of crew members remains unclear, Russian consular officials confirmed that the passengers included Russians, some of whom were minors.

The cause of the sinkage has not been established. The submarine, part of a Hurghada-based fleet, featured 44 passenger seats and unique viewing opportunities, according to Sindbad Submarines' website. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about tourism safety in the Red Sea region, particularly given prior warnings about sea conditions.

(With inputs from agencies.)