Egyptian authorities have successfully rescued 16 individuals following the sinking of a tourist boat off the Red Sea coast, according to three security sources who spoke to Reuters on Monday. Search operations are still underway for the remaining passengers and crew members. The vessel, named Sea Story, was carrying 45 people, including 31 tourists from various countries and 14 crew members, on a multi-day diving excursion when it sank near the coastal town of Marsa Alam, as stated by the Red Sea Governorate.
Governor Amr Hanafi mentioned that some of the survivors were airlifted by helicopter and have since received medical attention. Efforts to find more survivors are ongoing, in collaboration with the Egyptian navy and army. The governorate reported that a distress signal was received at 3:30 AM GMT, and the boat had set sail from Porto Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday, with plans to return to Hurghada Marina on November 29.
The Red Sea is a renowned diving hotspot, famous for its coral reefs and marine biodiversity, which are crucial to Egypt's significant tourism sector.
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