EGYPT: A TOURIST submarine sank off the coast of the popular Red Sea coastal city of Hurghada. At least six people have died and nine others were injured, officials said.
At least six people died, and nine others were injured, after a tourist submarine sank off the popular Red Sea coastal city of Hurghada, local officials said Thursday.
Emergency crews were able to rescue 29 people, according to a statement released by the Red Sea governorate.
The submarine, believed to have been operated by the Sindbad Submarine company, was operating off one of the beaches in the tourist promenade area.
The company has been carrying out trips in the Hurghada area for many years and on this particular trip, the submarine is believed to have carried about 45 tourists.
It was not immediately clear what caused the submarine to sink.
Russian embassy in Egypt says all tourists on board were Russians
The Russian embassy in Egypt said in a Facebook post that the crew on the Sindbad submarine were carrying out a regular tourist trip and that the accident took place around 10 a.m. local time.
The embassy said there were 45 tourists on board, including children, adding that all were Russian nationals.
Earlier local reports had said those on board were of various nationalities.
Hurghada, a top tourist destination
Hurghada, a bustling coastal city popular for watersports, is about 285 miles (460 kilometers) southeast of the capital, Cairo.
The colorful coral reefs and the abundance of aquatic life that it supports draw tourists from around the world. Egypt’s vital tourism sector employs some two million people and accounts for 10% of the country’s GDP.
But many companies have stopped or limited traveling on the Red Sea due to the dangers from conflicts in the region.
Accidents not uncommon
Accidents off the Red Sea coast are not uncommon. In November, a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea after warning of rough waters, Egyptian officials said.
At least four people drowned, while 33 were rescued.
