According to the Associated Press, a tourist submarine that sank off the coast of Egypt on Thursday resulted in the deaths of six people and injuries to nine others.
Provincial officials, who remained anonymous because they lacked media authorization, stated that all of the casualties were among the 45 passengers on board the submarine.
The incident occurred off the coast of a beach in the tourist promenade area of Hurghada, where 29 individuals were rescued.
The AP reported that Russian consular officials in Hurghada confirmed the presence of minors on the submarine. The number of crew members aboard remains unknown.
The submarine, owned by the Sindbad hotel in Hurghada, departed at approximately 10 a.m. on Thursday for a scheduled tour of coral reefs before sinking about half a mile from the shore.
According to the company’s website, the vessel, operated by Sindbad Submarines, a Hurghada-based company, had a capacity of 44 passenger seats, two pilot seats, and an individual viewing window for each passenger.
The Russian consulate reported that the rescued individuals were taken to hospitals and are in stable condition.
The reason for the submarine’s sinking is currently under investigation.
In November, Egyptian officials reported that a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea after warnings of turbulent waters, resulting in at least four fatalities and the rescue of 33 individuals. Some remained missing after the sinking, which included two American tourists on board.
Tourism is a significant contributor to Egypt’s economy; however, many tourist companies have curtailed or ceased travel on the Red Sea due to regional conflicts and associated dangers.
Digital’s Andrea Margolis and
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