A tragic incident occurred off Egypt’s Red Sea coast on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank, resulting in the death of at least six people and injuring nine others, six of whom are in critical condition. Approximately 40 passengers were on board the submarine at the time of the incident, with 29 of them being rescued and the injured transported to local hospitals.
The Russian embassy in Egypt, in a social media post, stated that all the tourists on the submarine were Russian citizens. However, they reported a lower death toll of four, which contradicts the count provided by local officials.
The submarine, named “The Sinbad,” sank near the harbor in Hurghada, a city renowned for its beaches and a popular tourist destination on the Red Sea. The Sinbad is capable of descending 82 feet into the sea, providing passengers with breathtaking views of the coral reefs and marine life, as per the information on Sinbad Submarines’ website.
The Sinbad has been in service for several years, with the company proudly owning two of the world’s 14 recreational submarines. The local governorate’s office in Hurghada confirmed the death of six foreigners in the incident but did not reveal their nationalities.
The incident has cast a shadow over the usually bustling tourist destination, raising questions about the safety of such recreational submarines. As investigations continue, the hope is that lessons will be learned to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.