CAIRO — On Tuesday, Egyptian naval personnel managed to rescue three individuals and recover the bodies of four others following the tragic sinking of a tourist yacht off the coast of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea. The incident took place a day prior when the vessel, carrying a total of 44 passengers, encountered adverse weather conditions that contributed to its capsizing.
As of now, there are 31 confirmed survivors, while authorities are still searching for nine individuals who remain unaccounted for. The yacht, named Sea Story, is primarily used for marine activities and reportedly issued a distress call after being hit by a substantial wave that led to its overturning. Accounts from survivors indicate that some people were in their cabins at the time of the incident, resulting in a swift and chaotic evacuation.
An ongoing rescue operation was initiated immediately after the vessel sank, and on the first day of the operation, 28 individuals were successfully rescued from the water. By Tuesday, regional governor Amr Hanafy announced that the three survivors included two Belgian nationals and one Egyptian citizen. The four deceased have yet to be identified.
Among those aboard the Sea Story were 13 Egyptians, comprising crew members, alongside 31 foreign nationals from various countries such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.
Typically, live-aboard vessels like Sea Story embark on extended trips away from port. The yacht had departed from Port Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday, with plans to dock in Hurghada five days later. Officials confirmed that the boat had no technical issues, had secured all necessary permits for the journey, and had undergone a naval safety inspection as recently as March. According to information from the yacht’s operating company, Dive Pro Liveaboard, the Sea Story was constructed in 2022 and is designed to accommodate 36 passengers.
Prior to the incident, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings on Saturday regarding turbulent conditions and elevated wave heights, advising against naval activities on both Sunday and Monday.
Marsa Alam is celebrated for its beautiful beaches and diverse marine ecosystem, attracting scuba diving enthusiasts worldwide, particularly due to its regular shark sightings, including the intriguing Oceanic White Tip shark. However, many of the dive spots can be challenging and require more advanced diving certifications.
The Egyptian military has also been called upon to assist in the ongoing rescue efforts, demonstrating the urgency and importance of locating those still missing.