Off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Egyptian resort on the Red Sea, a tragic accident occurred this morning. A tourist submarine named Sindbad sank one kilometer from the coast, resulting in at least six fatalities. Nine others were injured, four of whom are in critical condition. The incident has caused a global outcry as the submarine was filled with international tourists, including children.

The Fatal Accident

The Sindbad submarine, carrying a total of 44 passengers, sank near the harbor and marina of the Sindbad Club Hotel. According to local authorities and witnesses, the accident happened early in the morning. The cause of the disaster appears to be a collision with a reef, after which the submarine, at a depth of 20 meters (65 feet), suffered from decompression issues. This ultimately led to the vessel sinking.

The Governor of the Red Sea confirmed that 29 people were rescued from the submarine. The rescue operation was quickly initiated, with 21 ambulances dispatched to the scene. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, including Al-Kawthar, due to the severity of their injuries.

Victims of Various Nationalities

Although it was initially reported that the passengers came from different countries, the Russian embassy in Cairo has since stated that all tourists on board were Russian. Among the victims are said to be four Russian citizens. Russian media, including the well-known Baza Telegram channel, reported that the death toll could be as high as nine, although this number has not been officially confirmed. The channel also mentioned that a child could be among the fatalities, but this has yet to be officially verified by the authorities.

The Russian authorities have indicated that they are working closely with the Egyptian authorities to investigate the circumstances of the incident. The families of the victims are being informed, and support is being offered to the survivors.

Causes and Investigation

The exact cause of the disaster is still under investigation, but the initial indications point to a collision with a reef, which led to a decompression problem. Experts point out that underwater excursions like this, while popular among tourists, also come with significant risks. The safety of tourist submarines is now being scrutinized.

The Sindbad Club Hotel, closely linked to the tourist submarine, has not yet issued an official statement. In the aftermath of the accident, pressure on local authorities has increased to enforce stricter safety regulations and ensure better supervision of tourist diving activities.

Responses and Rescue Operations

The Egyptian government has assembled a team of experts to investigate the incident and take measures to prevent similar accidents in the future. Local and international media are closely following the situation, while there is also growing attention to the safety of tourist attractions in Egypt.

This tragic accident casts a shadow over Hurghada’s tourism industry, known for its colorful coral reefs and underwater excursions. In the coming days, more clarity is expected on what exactly went wrong, while families mourn their loss.