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A tourist yacht capsized and sank in the Red Sea after warnings of rough waters, leaving at least 16 people missing.
The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers rescued 28 people from the boat south of the coastal city of Marsa Alam, and some were airlifted for medical treatment.
Hanafy visited the site where the ship sank, according to an update from the Red Sea Governorate on Facebook. A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians and 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland.
The governor confirmed that rescuers are still searching for the missing, including four Egyptians and 12 foreigners. Meanwhile, those who survived suffered only bruises and scratches and were taken to a hotel in Marsa Alam in good condition.
The ship, named Sea Story, had no technical problems, received all necessary permits before the voyage, and was last inspected for maritime safety in March, according to officials.
Preliminary reports, based on statements from the yacht’s crew and tourists, say a large wave hit the boat, causing it to capsize, according to the latest information from the governor. Some of the passengers were in the cabins when the incident took place within minutes, according to the statements.
The UK Foreign Office said it was providing consular support to “a number of British nationals and their families” following the sinking.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs also said in an email to The Associated Press that it was “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance” without disclosing further details.
Meanwhile, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that there is no knowledge that there are any Spanish citizens among the missing. The ministry announced that five Spanish citizens were rescued and that they are out of danger.
The governorate received a report just before dawn on Monday of a distress call from a yacht that had set out from Mars Alam on a five-day voyage.
It was not immediately clear what caused the wooden-hulled, four-deck motorized yacht to sink. But Egypt’s meteorological authority warned of turbulence and high waves in the Red Sea on Saturday and advised against maritime activity on Sunday and Monday.
Wind speeds were between 60 and 70 km/h, and the wave height was three to four meters, they said.
A person who answered the phone at the company that operates the yacht, Dive Pro Liveaboard in Hurghada, Egypt, told The Associated Press she had “no information” and hung up.
According to the website, Sea Story was built in 2022 and can accommodate 36 passengers.
The Egyptian army coordinated rescue operations with the governor.
Many travel companies have suspended or limited Red Sea travel due to the threat of conflict in the region.
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