Drama in Egypt

Egypt: Tourist boat sank in just a few minutes

Governor Amr Hanafi, who is leading the rescue efforts, talks to survivors of the accident.(Bild: APA/AFP)

Many people are still missing after the boat accident in Egypt off Marsa Alam. It was announced around midday on Tuesday that three bodies have now been recovered. The yacht sank within a few minutes on Monday morning. It is the operator's second accident this year.

Despite a large-scale rescue operation, only 28 people on board the Sea Story were rescued on Monday. The tourists included four Germans, two Swiss and two Britons, according to various media reports. Other vacationers are believed to have come from China, the USA, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Poland and Slovakia, as reported by "Bild".

Nothing is yet known about the identity of the three bodies recovered. Four German tourists are still missing, including a couple from Bavaria, reported "Bild". 

Emergency services wait on the beach of Marsa Alam for survivors of the boat accident.(Bild: APA/Associated Press)

Survivors recover from the ordeal in a café shortly after the tragedy.(Bild: APA/Associated Press)

Operator's yacht sank back in February
According to the magazine "Stern", the operator of the boat is Dive Pro Liveaboard, based in Hurghada. The company has yet to comment on the accident. Explosive: It is already the second accident involving the company this year: the Sea Legend, another yacht belonging to the operator, sank back in February. It was also intended for diving excursions. 

Boat sank in 5-7 minutes
The tourist boat was hit by a "huge wave" before it capsized and sank, as the governor of the region, Major General Amr Hanafi, explained. It sank within about five to seven minutes. Some passengers were trapped in their cabins. 

A large contingent of emergency services was deployed to rescue the diving tourists and the crew of the sunken boat.(Bild: APA/AFP)

The ill-fated yacht was a four-storey diving boat that was intended for excursions lasting several days. The 44-meter-long motor yacht was relatively new, having been built in 2022. It had left Port Ghalib on Sunday and was due to arrive in Hurghada on Friday. There were 31 tourists and a crew of 14 on board. 

Weather authority warned against boat trips
It is not yet clear how the accident occurred. However, as reported by the Independent, the Egyptian weather authority warned of rough weather and large swells on Saturday - maritime activities on the Red Sea were even explicitly advised against for Sunday and Monday.