Charles Hackett, Chair of St Luke’s Trustees, said: “Christina was incredibly passionate about St Luke’s and its place at the heart of the community it serves, and we are devastated to lose her warmth, wisdom and leadership.

“With her vibrant and engaging personality and down-to-earth, caring nature, as CEO she quickly builds strong and meaningful relationships both inside (and) outside the organization.

“We will miss Christina immensely and our hearts go out to her family and close friends at this tragic time.”

The Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. They initially suggested that “an electrical short in the boat’s engine room may have fueled the fire”.

Announcing the deaths, Scuba Travel, the UK-based tour operator, said: “We are deeply sorry that we, as a tour operator, have to accept with a heavy heart that three of our highly valued diving guests have died in the tragic incident. ”

They added: “Due to the severity of the fire, the 12 divers were immediately evacuated by rib (rigid inflatable boat) to another vessel nearby and the 14 crew, including the captain and two dive guides, attempted to locate the missing guests. reaches. also had to abandon ship and were saved by a rib.”