In brief
On Thursday morning, a tourist submarine named Sindbad met with tragedy in the Red Sea near Hurghada, leading to the loss of six lives, all of whom were Russian nationals. Of the 45 passengers aboard, 39 were rescued, with nine suffering injuries; four are in critical condition.
The article text follows:Six individuals tragically lost their lives when a tourist submarine sank in the Red Sea near Egypt, as confirmed by local governor Amr Hanafy. The unfortunate incident happened in the early hours of Thursday close to Hurghada, a city popular among tourists. Rescuers managed to save 39 passengers, while nine sustained injuries—including four reported to be in critical condition. Authorities assessed that there were a total of 45 individuals on the vessel, named Sindbad, when it went down.Passengers included tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, alongside five Egyptian crew members. All deceased were identified as Russian nationals, with reports indicating that two victims were children. Russian officials in Hurghada named two other fatalities as married doctors from the Tatarstan region.The Sindbad submarine, operated by Sindbad Submarines, has been in service for several years, providing underwater tours to witness the local coral reefs. The submarine is one of only 14 recognized recreational submarines globally, boasting the capacity to carry 44 passengers and two pilots, enabling explorations up to 25 meters (82 feet) beneath the ocean surface.Dr. James Aldridge, a past passenger, noted that the experience was pleasant, allowing for scenic views of the underwater life while including a multiple language safety briefing, highlighting the absence of crowding on board. However, another passenger, Benjamin Grey, reported some inconsistencies during his journey, raising questions about the safety protocols implemented during the submarine’s operation.The vessel reportedly went down approximately one kilometer (0.6 miles) from Hurghada, around 10:00 AM local time (08:00 GMT). A comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the circumstances leading to the sinking, though early observations indicated calm seas and that the submarine had all necessary licensing and credentials. The Red Sea's coastal waters, frequented by tourists, have a history of similar incidents, with previous accidents involving tourist vessels raising safety concerns, prompting scrutiny from officials and agencies alike.
