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Tragedy in the Red Sea: Russian Tourists Die in Submarine Accident

Friday 28 - 10:10 By: Zahouani Ilham

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Six Russian tourists, including two minors, lost their lives on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Egyptian resort on the Red Sea.

The governor of the region, Amr Hanafi, confirmed in a statement that 39 foreign tourists were rescued, while six others perished. He emphasized that all the deceased were Russian nationals and that no one remained missing.

According to the Russian Consulate General in Hurghada, two of the victims were minors. The consulate also reported that seven Russian citizens, including five minors, were still hospitalized but in stable condition.

The ill-fated submarine, carrying 45 Russian tourists on an excursion to observe coral reefs, sank about a kilometer from the shore at around 10:00 AM local time (08:00 GMT). However, Egyptian authorities stated that the vessel had passengers of various nationalities, including Russians, Indians, Norwegians, and Swedes, along with five Egyptian crew members.

Sindbad Submarines, the owner of the vessel, stated that the submarine was designed to accommodate up to 44 passengers at a maximum depth of 25 meters. Most of the individuals on board were rescued and transported to hotels or hospitals in Hurghada. The authorities dispatched 21 ambulances to the scene.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. Officials confirmed that the submarine had all necessary certifications and that its captain was properly qualified.

A History of Fatal Accidents

A Sindbad employee stated in a video that six people were struggling underwater before being rescued. Four survivors, including at least one minor, were placed in intensive care.

Hurghada, located about 460 km southeast of Cairo, is a major tourist destination. Its airport welcomed over nine million passengers in 2024. On the day of the accident, weather conditions included above-average winds but clear underwater visibility.

Tourist boats frequently navigate the area for diving excursions. Sindbad Submarines claims to operate the only real leisure submarine in the region, which has been in service for years.

The Red Sea’s coral reefs and offshore islands are key attractions, supporting Egypt’s vital tourism sector, which employs two million people and contributes over 10% of the country’s GDP. However, the region has seen several fatal incidents in recent years.

In November 2023, a diving yacht capsized off Marsa Alam, killing four people and leaving seven missing. Earlier that year, three British tourists died in a yacht fire. In June, a group of 20 French tourists was safely evacuated before their vessel sank.