November 25th 2024.
A tragic incident has occurred in the Red Sea, as a tourist yacht has capsized and sunk, leaving at least 16 people missing. The rough waters had been previously warned about, and unfortunately, the vessel was unable to withstand the turbulent conditions.
Amidst the chaos, rescuers were able to save 28 people from the sinking yacht, which was located south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam. Some of the survivors were even airlifted for immediate medical treatment. The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, visited the site of the tragedy and provided updates on the situation through Facebook.
The yacht, named Sea Story, had a total of 44 people on board, including 13 Egyptians and 31 foreign nationals from various countries such as the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland. Unfortunately, not everyone was able to be rescued, and the search for the missing individuals, including four Egyptians and 12 foreigners, is still ongoing.
Thankfully, those who were rescued only sustained minor injuries and were taken to a hotel in Marsa Alam in good condition. According to officials, the yacht had no technical problems and had obtained all necessary permits for the trip. It was last checked for naval safety in March, giving no indication of any potential issues.
Preliminary reports suggest that a large wave crashed into the boat, causing it to capsize within minutes. Some passengers were even inside the cabins at the time of the incident, making it extremely difficult for them to escape. The UK Foreign Office and Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs have both confirmed that they are providing consular assistance to their nationals involved in the incident.
Spain's Foreign Ministry has stated that none of their nationals were among the missing, and that five were successfully rescued and are now out of danger. The distress call was made from the yacht in the early hours of Monday morning, as it was on a five-day journey from Marsa Alam.
The cause of the sinking is still unknown, but the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had previously issued warnings about turbulence and high waves in the Red Sea. Wind speeds were recorded to be between 60km/h to 70km/h, with wave heights reaching up to three to four metres. The company operating the yacht, Dive Pro Liveaboard in Hurghada, Egypt, has not yet provided any information about the incident.
The Sea Story, built in 2022, has a capacity of 36 passengers and was being coordinated by the Egyptian military for rescue operations. Due to conflicts in the region, many tourist companies have limited or stopped traveling on the Red Sea, as it poses potential dangers.
In the wake of this tragedy, we urge everyone to prioritize safety and heed any warnings given by authorities. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this devastating incident. Stay informed and updated by downloading the 9NEWS app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
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