Tourist submarine tragedy off Hurghada leaves six dead
A submarine carrying tourists has sunk off the coast of Hurghada, a popular resort located on the Red Sea. Approximately 40 people were on board, according to the BBC, which cites local sources in Egypt.
What do you need to know?
- Where did the accident occur? The submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, a well-known tourist resort in Egypt.
- How many people were on board? About 40 people were on the submarine. However, their nationalities are unclear, and it is also unknown how many crew members were present.
- A similar accident occurred in 2021. A German family lost their lives, and 13 other tourists were rescued.
What happened to the submarine in Egypt?
According to local sources cited by the BBC, at least six people are presumed dead, and nine were injured, with 29 others rescued. The injured, including four in a critical condition, were taken to nearby hospitals. Around 40 tourists were reported to be on board the submarine.
According to the BBC, the submarine is named Sindbad and sank near the port.
The company Sindbad Submarines, which owns the submarine, has been organising tourist trips in the Hurghada area for several years.
According to its website, it owns two of the 14 submarines designed for recreational purposes available worldwide. It offers tourists the chance to descend to a depth of about 25 metres to explore approximately 500 metres of coral reef and its marine life.
The Sindbad Submarines website also mentions that it offers 44 seats for passengers, with two seats for pilots and a large round viewing window for each passenger.
Hurghada is a favoured holiday destination, and many sea excursions are organised from this resort.
Egypt. Not the first accident at the resort
This is not the first time a submarine accident has occurred near Hurghada. In 2021, a German family died in a similar incident, and 13 other tourists of various nationalities were rescued after the submarine collided with a coral reef.
