Tour Boat Capsizes, Sixteen Still Missing

A luxury yacht capsized and sank off the Red Sea coast on Monday, leaving 16 individuals unaccounted for while 28 others were rescued. The tragic incident occurred during a five-day diving expedition amidst challenging sea conditions.

The ill-fated yacht, Sea Story, issued a distress call at 5:30 a.m. local time, shortly before contact was lost. Carrying 44 people—including 13 Egyptian crew members and 31 international tourists—the vessel was reportedly struck by a large wave in rough seas. Survivor accounts indicate the boat tilted rapidly, taking only minutes to capsize, leaving some passengers trapped in their cabins.

Red Sea Governor Major Gen. Amr Hanafi confirmed that search and rescue operations are ongoing. “The vessel capsized due to severe weather, with waves reaching up to 13 feet. Our rescue teams, along with military assistance, are combing the area for survivors and the missing,” he said.

Among the missing are individuals from Finland, Egypt, and other nationalities. While Finnish authorities have confirmed one of their citizens is among the missing, the Egyptian government continues to coordinate with foreign embassies to assist in identifying the remaining victims.

Survivors rescued near Wadi el-Gemal have been provided with medical care. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Cairo assured that two Chinese citizens aboard were safe, while the British Foreign Office is supporting nationals affected by the incident.

This disaster raises concerns over safety regulations for Red Sea diving expeditions, a major draw for international tourists due to the area’s renowned coral reefs. Weather conditions were forecasted to be rough, with warnings issued days before the yacht departed Marsa Alam on Sunday.

Authorities are investigating the incident to determine whether negligence or failure to heed weather warnings contributed to the tragedy.