Rescue efforts begin after Egyptian tourist boat tragedy

Incident Summary

A tourist boat, the Sea Story, capsized in the Red Sea off Egypt’s coast on November 24, 2024, resulting in the deaths of four people and leaving seven others missing.

Key Details

• The incident occurred when a large wave hit the vessel near Marsa Alam, causing it to capsize.

• A total of 33 people have been rescued so far, with five survivors found on Tuesday.

• Four bodies were recovered during the search operation, including four people who died in the incident.

• Seven people are still missing as of Tuesday evening, including two British nationals.

Passenger and Crew Information

• The boat was carrying 31 passengers and 13 crew members when it capsized.

• The passengers were from various countries, including Belgium, Britain, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the US.

• Among the missing are two Polish tourists and one from Finland.

Rescue Efforts

• Military personnel and a passing tourist boat rescued 28 people in the hours after the vessel capsized.

• Survivors were taken to a tourist hotel in the area for medical attention and support.

• Authorities are working with embassies to provide support to those affected by the incident.

Rescue Efforts (Continued)

• Rescue Response: A distress signal was sent to the Red Sea Governorate Control Centre at 03:30 GMT. Intense efforts were made to search for missing people.

• Number of Rescued People: As of Tuesday (November 26, 2024), a total of 33 people have been rescued. This includes three survivors found alive on Monday and one Swiss national rescued on Tuesday.

Missing Persons

• Total Missing: Nine people are still missing as of Tuesday evening.

• Nationalities of the Missing: The BBC understands two of the missing are British nationals, in addition to a Polish tourist and a Finnish national reported missing by their respective foreign ministries.

Bodies Recovered

• Number of Bodies Found: Four bodies have been recovered so far.

Survivors’ Condition

• Condition of Survivors: According to Red Sea Governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi, all survivors found are in good health and no-one has needed admission to hospital. The passengers are being taken to a tourist hotel in the area for further assistance.

Boat Details

• Boat Name: Sea Story.

• Type of Vessel: A four-deck modern yacht.

• Owner and Operator: Owned by an Egyptian national and operated by Dive Pro Liveaboard, based in Egypt. The vessel was built in 2022 and has the capacity to accommodate up to 36 passengers.

Related Incidents

• Previous Incident: Last year, three Britons died off the coast of Marsa Alam after their dive boat caught fire.

Safety Concerns

• The Red Sea governorate has stated that the boat passed its safety inspection in March 2024 with no technical issues reported, but an investigation into the incident is ongoing.

• An Irish national on board was reported to be “OK” and receiving consular assistance.

• The incident highlights the importance of prioritizing safety in the tourism industry and ensuring that all necessary measures are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

Incident Overview

A tourist boat, the Sea Story, capsized in the Red Sea off Egypt’s coast on November 24, 2024, with 44 people on board. The incident occurred near Marsa Alam, a popular destination for tourists.

Details of the Incident

• Date and Time: November 24, 2024, at approximately 05:30 local time (03:30 GMT).

• Location: Red Sea off Egypt’s coast near Marsa Alam.

• Number of People on Board: 44 people, including 13 crew members and 31 passengers.

• Cause of the Incident: The boat was hit by a large wave near Marsa Alam, causing it to capsize.