November 26th 2024.
On Tuesday, Egyptian naval forces carried out a daring rescue mission, saving five people from the treacherous waters of the Red Sea. Sadly, they also recovered four bodies, victims of a tourist yacht that sank the previous day in the coastal town of Marsa Alam. The yacht, called Sea Story, was carrying 44 passengers at the time of the incident, but its journey took a tragic turn when it encountered rough weather.
The survivors recounted the harrowing experience of a massive wave crashing into the boat and causing it to capsize within minutes. Some passengers were trapped inside the cabins as the boat overturned, adding to the chaos and danger. The distress signal was sent out, and thankfully, 28 people were rescued on Monday. But with seven still missing, the fate of all the passengers was uncertain.
The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, provided an update on the situation, revealing that the five survivors included two Belgians, an Egyptian, a Swiss citizen, and a Finnish national. However, the identities of the four bodies recovered are yet to be confirmed. The group on board was a diverse mix, with 13 Egyptians and 31 foreign nationals from countries such as the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.
According to the German foreign ministry, three Germans are still missing, while three others have been rescued. The Sea Story was a live-aboard boat that departed from Port Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day excursion that was meant to end in Hurghada. Officials have stated that the boat had all the necessary permits and had undergone safety checks in March, with no reported technical issues.
The weather conditions at the time were also a cause for concern, as the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had warned of turbulence and high waves on Saturday. They had advised against any naval activities on Sunday and Monday, but the Sea Story had already set sail. Marsa Alam is a popular destination for its beautiful beaches, diverse marine life, and the chance to see sharks, particularly the Oceanic White Tip, a curious and elusive species that draws in scuba diving enthusiasts from all over the world.
However, some of the dive sites in the area can be challenging, with strong currents that require advanced certification. Even with all the necessary precautions in place, accidents can still happen, and in this case, the Egyptian military is assisting in the rescue operation. The boat operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard, has a website that showcases the Sea Story, a newly built vessel that can accommodate up to 36 passengers.
In the face of this tragedy, our thoughts are with the survivors and the families of those who lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. We can only hope that the remaining seven missing passengers are found safe and sound. In the meantime, stay informed with the latest updates on the situation by downloading the 9NEWS app, available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. With this app, you can stay on top of all the breaking news, sports, politics, and weather, and receive notifications directly to your smartphone. Stay safe, and thank you for choosing 9NEWS.
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