Rescuers have recovered four bodies and are continuing the search for seven missing individuals after a tourist boat, Sea Story, capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, the Red Sea Governorate confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
Provincial Governor Amr Hanafi reported that five people were found alive a day after the incident, including two Belgian tourists, a Swiss tourist, a Finn, and one Egyptian. This brings the total number of survivors to 33 after 28 were initially rescued on Monday with minor injuries.
Divers gear up for a training session with tourists on the beach, where survivors from the boat that capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast yesterday were brought, in Marsa Alam, Egypt, November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghan
According to Reuters, the Sea Story was carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew members on multi-day diving trip, when it sank on Monday near the Sataya Reef during severe weather conditions. The Egyptian Red Sea Ports Authority reported wave heights of 3–4 meters and wind speeds of 8 Beaufort in the area on Sunday, prompting the suspension of maritime traffic. The vessel was struck by high waves and capsized within 5–7 minutes.
According to Hanafi the boat, owned by an Egyptian national, had passed its last safety inspection in March and had been issued a one-year safety certificate by the Maritime Safety Authority. No technical issues were noted at the time.
This marks the second boat accident in the region this year. In June, another vessel suffered significant damage from strong waves, though no casualties were reported.
