Red Sea disaster: Tourist submarine sinks off Egypt coast in Hurghada, 6 dead

Egypt News: A devastating incident unfolded in the Egyptian resort city of Hurghada, where a tourist submarine, known as the Sindbad, tragically sank in the Red Sea. According to municipal officials, six individuals have lost their lives, while nine others have been injured in the disaster. The injured, including four in critical condition, have been rushed to nearby hospitals for medical attention.

Emergency services responded swiftly to the crisis, successfully rescuing 29 people from the water. The submarine, which was carrying 45 tourists of diverse nationalities, was operating in the tourist promenade area when the incident occurred.

The cause of the sinking remains unclear at this time, pending an official investigation.

Russian Embassy Announces Tragedy

The Russian embassy in Egypt claimed in a post on Facebook that all of the tourists on board were Russian.

The post read: "On March 27, around 10:00, at a distance of 1 km from the shore, an accident of the submersible 'Sindbad', belonging to the hotel of the same name occurred.

"The submersible carried out a regular underwater excursions with inspection of the coral reef.

"In addition to crew members, there were 45 tourists on board, including minors. All of them are Russian citizens, tourists of the company 'Biblio Globus' (the host tour company in Egypt - 'Biblio globus Egypt Tours').

"According to initial data, most of the passengers on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada.

"Their health is not a cause for concern. Four people have been killed. The fate of several tourists is being determined.

"Diplomats of the General Consulate are on the pier of the 'Sindbad' hotel."

Everything to Know About Sindbad Subbmarine

The Sindbad submarine was a popular attraction in Hurghada, offering visitors a unique underwater experience. Sindbad is understood to be a 'semi submarine' designed for underwater sightseeing where tourists can observe marine life from a lower deck which is under water.

However, concerns about its safety record have been raised, as it had reportedly experienced technical issues in the past.

Sindbad has been running tourist trips in the area for many years.

The company boasts it holds two of the only "14 real recreational submarines" in the world.

The vessels allow tourists to travel 25 metres (82 feet) below the surface to explore "500 metres of coral reef and its marine inhabitants".

The operator's website states: “It offers 44 passenger seats - two pilots' seats and a sizeable round viewing window for each passenger.”

All About Hurghada

Hurghada, a major tourist destination, attracts visitors from around the world, particularly from Europe. The incident may have broader implications for Egypt's tourism industry, which is a significant contributor to the country's economy.

In recent years, the Red Sea has faced challenges due to regional conflicts, leading some tourist companies to limit or halt operations. This latest incident underscores the need for robust safety standards and emergency preparedness in the tourism sector.