A catastrophic underwater excursion in the Red Sea turned fatal when a tourist submarine encountered difficulties near the Egyptian resort town of Hurghada.
According to NewsNation, the recreational submarine "Sindbad" sank approximately 1,000 meters offshore on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of six Russian tourists and leaving 29 others injured.
The vessel, carrying 45 tourists and five Egyptian crew members, was conducting a routine coral reef tour when the incident occurred. Local authorities, led by Red Sea governor Maj. Gen. Amr Hanafi promptly dispatched rescue teams to the scene, managing to save 39 tourists from various nationalities, including Russian, Indian, Norwegian, and Swedish citizens.
The submarine was operating at depths between 20-25 meters when the incident occurred. The vessel was designed to provide tourists with panoramic views of the vibrant marine ecosystem through specially constructed bottom windows.
Emergency response teams worked efficiently to rescue the trapped passengers. The operation highlighted the dangers of underwater tourism activities, even in popular destinations like Hurghada known for their diving and snorkeling attractions.
Red Sea governor Maj. Gen. Amr Hanafi personally visited survivors at local hospitals. Among those receiving treatment were Egyptian crew members and tourists with varying degrees of injuries, including an Indian passenger's daughter in critical condition.
This tragic event follows a similar incident from November, where a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea after rough water warnings. That accident resulted in four fatalities, though rescuers managed to save 33 people.
The tourism industry in Egypt has faced numerous challenges recently. Many tour operators have reduced their Red Sea operations due to regional conflicts and safety concerns.
The "Sindbad" submarine typically conducted 40-minute underwater tours, offering tourists unique views of the Red Sea's famous coral reefs. The operating company has not responded to requests for comment regarding the accident.
The Russian consulate initially reported that all tourists aboard were Russian nationals. However, governor Hanafi's statement later confirmed a diverse group of passengers from multiple countries.
Tourism officials are expected to review safety protocols for underwater excursions following this incident. The exact cause of the submarine's sinking remains under investigation.
The accident has raised concerns about the maintenance and safety standards of tourist vessels operating in the Red Sea. Local authorities may implement stricter regulations for submarine tours to prevent similar tragedies.
The sinking of the "Sindbad" submarine marks one of the deadliest tourist accidents in recent Egyptian maritime history. Six Russian tourists, including two children, lost their lives when the vessel sank off Hurghada's coast during what was meant to be a routine underwater excursion. The incident occurred approximately 1,000 meters from shore, where rescue teams successfully saved 39 tourists from various nationalities. Twenty-nine survivors required medical attention at local hospitals, while investigators work to determine the cause of this tragic accident that has highlighted the risks associated with underwater tourism in the Red Sea region.
