4 bodies recovered from capsized tourist boat off Red Sea coast; 9 missing
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Yachts docked at a marina in Egypt after a tourist boat sank off the Red Sea coast on Nov 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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CAIRO – Four bodies were recovered on Nov 26 from a tourist boat which capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, and rescue teams were still searching for nine missing people, the Red Sea Governorate said in a statement.
Provincial governor Amr Hanafi said rescue teams had found three people alive, two Belgian tourists and an Egyptian, bringing the total number of survivors to 31.
The boat, Sea Story, capsized on Nov 25 near the Sataya Reef. It was carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew on a multi-day diving trip.
It was struck by high waves and sank in five to seven minutes.
Twenty-eight survivors were rescued with minor injuries. They are staying in a hotel in Marsa Alam, where the authorities are working with embassies to provide assistance and documentation.
Mr Hanafi said the 34m boat, owned by an Egyptian, passed its last safety inspection in March 2024, with no technical issues reported. Owned by an Egyptian national, the vessel was 34m long and had received a one-year safety certificate from the Maritime Safety Authority.
The incident occurred during rough weather conditions. The Egyptian Red Sea Ports Authority reported wave heights of 3m to 4m and wind speeds of 63kmh in the area on Nov 24, leading to the closure of maritime traffic.
It was the second boat to sink in the area in 2024. In June, another vessel suffered severe damage from strong waves, though no casualties were reported.
The Red Sea, renowned for its coral reefs and marine life, is a major hub for Egypt’s tourism industry, which plays a critical role in the country’s economy. REUTERS
