Tourist Boat Sinks in Red Sea: 17 Passengers Missing
A tragic incident occurred off the coast of Egypt's Red Sea when a tourist boat, named the Sea Story, sank during a diving cruise. The vessel was carrying 31 tourists from various nationalities along with 14 crew members when it sent out distress signals early on Monday morning. Egyptian authorities reported that 28 individuals have been rescued, while search operations continue for the remaining 17 passengers who are still unaccounted for.
The Sea Story had departed from Port Ghalib on Sunday and was scheduled to reach Hurghada, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) north, by Friday. Major General Amr Hanafi, the governor of the Red Sea, confirmed that survivors were rescued through an air operation and by a military ship. He emphasized that the search efforts are ongoing, involving both the navy and armed forces, to locate the missing passengers.
Ongoing Search and Rescue Operations
The search and rescue operations are being coordinated with various authorities, including the Egyptian Navy and Armed Forces. Reports indicate that some survivors have already received medical care after being transported by a search and rescue plane. Others are being secured on-site until they can be safely evacuated by the Al-Fatih frigate, which is en route to assist in the rescue efforts.
As of now, there are no confirmed reports of Italian nationals among the passengers, as the Italian embassy is in contact with Egyptian authorities to verify the situation. The Red Sea is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year, and this incident has raised concerns about safety in the region.
