At least six people have been confirmed d3ad after a tourist submarine carrying 44 passengers sank off the coast of Egypt.
The vessel, identified as Sindbad, was conducting an underwater tour near the Sindbad Club Hotel marina when the accident occurred. Among the passengers were international tourists, including children.
Rescue teams have successfully saved 29 people, according to a statement from the Red Sea governorate. However, Egyptian authorities have confirmed at least six fatalities, while Russia’s embassy in Cairo reported that all the passengers were Russian, with four of its citizens among the deceased.
Russian media suggests the d3ath toll could be as high as nine, with unconfirmed reports indicating that the submarine may have collided with a reef and depressurized at 65 feet, causing it to sink.
Emergency services, including 21 ambulances, were dispatched to the scene, transporting the injured to local hospitals such as Al-Kawthar due to the severity of their conditions.
While early reports indicated that the passengers were of mixed nationalities, a statement from the Russian embassy in Egypt contradicted this, claiming that all onboard were Russian tourists booked through Biblio Globus Egypt Tours.
The embassy’s statement read: “On March 27, at approximately 10:00 AM, an accident occurred involving the submersible ‘Sindbad’ about 1 km from shore. The vessel was conducting a routine underwater excursion to view the coral reef. Aboard were 45 tourists, including minors, all of whom are Russian citizens.”
It added that most passengers had been rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada, with diplomats from the General Consulate present at the Sindbad Hotel pier.
The submarine, which has operated tourist trips in Hurghada for several years, had embarked on a sea excursion showcasing Egypt’s coral reefs and marine life. The vessel, capable of diving to 72 feet, offers a three-hour underwater experience, with tickets costing £68 for adults and £35 for children.
The Sindbad Submarines website boasts that it operates two of the only 14 real recreational submarines in the world, with 44 passenger seats, two pilot seats, and large individual viewing windows.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the cause of the accident.
