Yacht 'Sea Story' Sinks Off Egypt's Red Sea Coast; 17 Tourists Missing, 28 Rescued

Nov 25, 2024, 02:36 PM

Egyptian authorities have launched a search and rescue operation after a tourist yacht named 'Sea Story' sank off the coast of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea during a diving trip. The vessel, which had departed for a five-day journey, was carrying 45 people, including 31 tourists of various nationalities and 14 crew members. At least 28 people have been rescued, including five Spaniards and two Chinese tourists, while 17 are still missing. The missing include foreign tourists, with reports indicating that British, Belgian, American, and Irish nationals may be among them. The incident occurred before dawn on Monday when the vessel reportedly capsized after being hit by a large wave amid rough sea conditions. Authorities had issued warnings about rough seas, but the boat had set sail despite the advisories. Governor of the Red Sea province, Amr Hanafy, stated that intensive search efforts are underway, involving naval forces and aircraft.