CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptian authorities rescued 16 people after a tourist boat sank off the Red Sea coast, three security sources told Reuters on Monday, as search operations continued for passengers and members. of the remaining crew.
The ship, Sea Story, was carrying 45 people, including 31 tourists of different nationalities and 14 crew members, on a multi-day diving trip when it sank near the coastal city of Marsa Alam, according to a statement from the Red Sea Governorate. .
Governor Amr Hanafi said some survivors were rescued by helicopter and taken to medical care. Efforts were underway to locate more survivors in coordination with the Egyptian navy and army.
The governorate said a distress call was received at 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT) and that the ship had departed Porto Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday, with plans to return to Hurghada marina on Nov. 29.
The Red Sea is a popular diving destination known for its coral reefs and marine life, key to Egypt’s vital tourism industry.
(Reporting by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan and Yusri Mohamed; writing by Mohamed Ezz; editing by Mark Heinrich)