Tourist Submarine Sinks in Red Sea, Killing Six
A tragic accident occurred off Egypt’s Red Sea coast near Hurghada, where a tourist submarine, Sindbad, sank during a coral reef excursion with 44 passengers on board, including children of various nationalities.
The incident resulted in six deaths and nine injuries, four critically. Twenty-nine people were rescued. According to Al-Masry Al-Youm, the submarine sank near the marina of a well-known hotel.
A large-scale rescue operation was launched, involving 21 ambulances and emergency services. Sindbad has long offered underwater tours in the region, with its air-conditioned submarines designed for 44 passengers and capable of diving 82 feet.
While the governor’s office confirmed six foreign nationals were killed, the Russian embassy reported only four Russian fatalities, including a child. The discrepancy in numbers remains unclear.
Hurghada is a major tourist hub, attracting over 4 million visitors in 2022, especially from Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Despite its popularity, the UK issued a warning in February about safety risks on Red Sea diving tours, citing multiple accidents and urging travelers to use reputable operators.