Six dead after submarine ‘carrying 45 Russian tourists’ sinks in Egypt
Six people who are dead after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Egypt have been identified as Russian citizens.
Multiple ambulances have been deployed to the scene in Hurghada, a city on the Red Sea coast that is popular with British travellers.
There were 45 passengers – all from Russia – were on board the ‘Sinbad’ when the incident happened, according to Russian state media, RIA.
Four passengers out of the nine injured are understood to be in critical condition and fighting for their life.
At least 29 people have been rescued in the moments after the boat sank.
The group had paid for a sea trip to inspect the coral reefs in the Red Sea, which is infested with sharks.
The vessel capsized in front of the marina of one of the famous hotels in Hurghada, claimed sources cited by Al Masry Al Youm.
Sindbad has been running tourist trips in the Hurghada area for several years, but it is unclear if there are previous incidents on record.
Semi-submarine tours – involving a special boat designed for underwater sightseeing – have been running in the area for years.
Unlike a traditional submarine, it does not fully submerge and passengers can observe marine life from the lower deck.
This is also not the first fatal incident involving tourist boats in Hurghada.
A tourist boat called the ‘Sea Story’ capsized, leaving 11 dead or missing – including a British couple – back in November.
Over the last five years, there have been 16 incidents involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea.
Three liveaboard dive boats have been lost in the last 21 months, which all resulted in numerous deaths including some UK nationals.
Chief inspector of marine accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, stressed that such vessels are unlikely to be built, maintained, equipped, and operated to the ‘standard of similar vessels in the UK’.
He urged British travellers to exercise ‘extreme caution’ when choosing a boat.
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