A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of Egypt’s popular Red Sea resort town of Hurghada, where a tourist submarine sank, leading to the deaths of six people. The vessel, which had been operating underwater tours for several years, was carrying over 40 passengers, including international tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden.
According to reports from Egypt’s maritime authorities, the submarine, which was designed for deep-sea exploration, encountered an unexpected mechanical failure, causing it to rapidly take in water. Rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the scene, managing to save the majority of the passengers. However, six Russian tourists were found dead, and several others suffered injuries, with four currently receiving medical treatment in intensive care.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as passengers scrambled to evacuate the sinking vessel. One survivor recounted how the crew struggled to control the flooding before realizing the situation was beyond their ability to manage.
Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident. The tragic event has raised fresh concerns about the safety of underwater tourism in the Red Sea, a region known for its vibrant marine life and popular diving sites.
As condolences pour in from various governments and international bodies, Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism has vowed to strengthen safety regulations for maritime tourism to prevent future occurrences.