Dozens of tourists are missing after a boat sank off the Egyptian coast early this morning. The vessel, named Sea Story, reportedly sank near Shaab Satayah, a coral reef popular for diving trips, off the tourist resort of Marsa Alam.
A crew member sent a distress signal at 5:30 am before the boat disappeared from radar and contact was lost, according to local media reports.
The boat had departed on a diving trip from the port of Ghalib in Marsa Alam on November 24, with plans to reach Hurghada Marina by November 29. On board were 31 tourists of various nationalities and 14 crew members.
Red Sea governor Amr Hanafy confirmed that some tourists were rescued in the Ghadeer area of Wai El Gemal, but the total number of missing individuals has not been disclosed. Several survivors were flown back to shore for medical care.
The search operation, involving the Egyptian navy and a helicopter, is ongoing, though local weather conditions and the vast area being covered have made the search more challenging.
The last known location of the boat was recorded by the ship tracking website Marine Traffic as being near Hurghada.
The Sea Story, a 144-foot pleasure craft built in 2022, is capable of carrying up to 32 passengers.
