[imagesource:Red Sea Governate via BBC]

Egyptian authorities say 17 people are missing, including several foreigners, after a newly-built tourist boat capsized in the Red Sea.

According to reports, the boat was carrying 44 passengers, including 13 crew members, when it made a distress call. 28 people are believed to have been rescued so far.

Authorities have not speculated about the likely reason for the sinking, however, those onboard said that a massive wave hit the boat, causing it to capsize. Weather experts are believed to have also cautioned against any maritime activities on Sunday and Monday.

According to the local media, the crew of the Sea Story are all Egyptians and the tourists on board included five Spanish, four British, four Germans and two US nationals.

According to reports, the Sea Story left port near Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving trip. Red Sea Governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi said the survivors were found in the Wadi el-Gemal area, south of Marsa Alam, and that they were receiving the necessary medical care.

It is unclear who is among the rescued and who is still missing, but the Red Sea governor’s latest report said four Egyptians remained unaccounted for.

He added that the Egyptian Navy warship El Fateh and military aircraft intensified their efforts to locate the missing, with rescue teams working around the clock.

On Saturday, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority forecast turbulence on the Mediterranean and Red Seas due to the weather. Wind speeds were predicted to be between 60-70 km/h, and wave heights were three to four metres, they cautioned.

Marsa Alam is a popular tourist resort on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast, surrounded by diving areas, including well-known coral reefs.

The boat was owned by an Egyptian national, who acquired a one-year validity certificate in March 2024 when it was examined by maritime safety. The yacht is 44m long and has four decks and 18 cabins that can accommodate up to 36 passengers.

According to authorities, there were no mechanical issues at the time of the event, and witnesses said that the boat capsized after being hit by a strong wave, which took five to seven minutes.

There was no immediate comment from Sea Story’s Egypt-based owner and operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard.

[source:bbc]