5 Rescued After Tourist Boat Sank in Red Sea, Leaving 4 Dead and 7 More Still Missing
Americans were among those believed to be aboard when the Nov. 25 disaster unfolded
Egyptian Press Center via AP
Rescuers transport a survivor after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea, in Marsa Alam, Egypt, on Monday, Nov. 25.Egyptian authorities say five people aboard a tourist boat that sank in the Red Sea and left four dead on Monday, Nov. 25, have now been rescued.
In a translated statement on Wednesday, Nov. 27, the Egyptian Armed Forces said that nine people have been found from the Nov. 25 disaster.
“The Navy continued its efforts in the search operations in the accident area south of Marsa Alam city in the Red Sea Governorate, where the efforts resulted in finding (9) persons of different nationalities,” authorities said, “including (5) alive and rescuing (4) deceased persons. Medical aid was provided to the survivors in cooperation with the executive authorities of the Red Sea Governorate, and the Navy continues its efforts to find the rest of the missing person.”
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Rescuers and ambulance cars wait on the beach for possible survivors after a boat sank at a harbour in Marsa Alam.“Medical aid was provided to the survivors in cooperation with the executive authorities of the Red Sea Governorate, and the Navy continues its efforts to find the rest of the missing persons,” the Egyptian Armed Forces added.
With the announcement of the five rescued, the total number of survivors currently stands at 33 of the 44 originally on the boat as of Nov. 26 — with seven remaining unaccounted for, BBC News, The New York Times and Sky News reported.
Amr Hanafi, the governor of the Red Sea region, said the five survivors who were rescued included two Belgians, one Swiss, one Finnish and one Egyptian national, according to Sky News.
The news outlet also reported one of the rescued Belgians saying, "It was very nice to be back."
According to the Associated Press, BBC News and U.K. newspaper The Times, the yacht Sea Story sank within 5-7 minutes after it was hit by high waves near the Sataya Reef. At the time, thirty-one tourists and 13 crew members were on board for a five-day diving trip.
The Telegraph and Reuters reported that the yacht left Porto Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday, Nov. 24, and was expected to arrive at Hurghada Marina on Friday, Nov. 29. According to the media outlets, a distress call was made to the Red Sea governorate at about 5:30 a.m. local time after the boat left Marsa Alam.
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The vessel is believed to have been struck by rough winds overnight on Nov. 24, according to BBC News. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority’s forecast warned of high waves in the Red Sea and suggested against maritime activity on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.
In addition to carrying people from Belgium, Switzerland, Egypt and Finland, the boat included nationals from the U.S., Britain, Spain, Germany, Slovakia, Poland, Norway, Ireland and China, Reuters reported.
None of the victims have been identified at this time.
The Sea Story was constructed in 2022 as a four-deck vessel and registered in Safaga, Egypt, said the boat’s manufacturer Dive Pro Liveaboard. The company mentioned on its website that life jackets are present in each cabin and two safety rafts onboard to carry 25 people each.
PEOPLE contacted the Egyptian Armed Forces and Dive Pro Liveaboard on Wednesday, Nov. 27, for additional information.
