Search Continues for 16 People Missing from Red Sea Boat for Second Day

   Search for 16 individuals missing after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea entered its second day on Tuesday, with hopes of locating the missing passengers still high. The boat, Sea Story, had been carrying 44 people when it sank on Monday, and while 28 people were rescued, the remaining 16 are still unaccounted for.

Among the missing passengers, two are British nationals, according to reports from the BBC. In addition to the British nationals, one Finnish citizen is also among those missing, while Egyptian authorities have confirmed that four Egyptians are still unaccounted for. The search operation is ongoing, and authorities remain determined to find those still missing.

The Sea Story was on a scheduled five-day diving excursion when the tragedy struck. The boat had departed from Marsa Alam, a popular Egyptian town located on the southern Red Sea coast, on Sunday. According to local officials, the boat sank after being struck by a large wave, a powerful and sudden force that caused it to capsize. The boat sent a distress signal at around 05:30 local time (03:30 GMT) on Monday, alerting authorities to the sinking. The boat went down within five to seven minutes after the signal was sent.

The initial rescue operation was swift, and survivors were found in the Wadi el-Gemal area, located south of Marsa Alam. The survivors have since been taken to a nearby tourist hotel in the area. Fortunately, the survivors have been reported to be in good health and did not require hospitalization. Authorities also confirmed that no one was critically injured in the aftermath, although it is clear that many were shaken by the ordeal.

Before the incident, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings to all vessels in the region about expected turbulence and high waves in both the Mediterranean and Red Seas. The warnings, issued just days before the incident, highlighted that wind speeds were expected to range from 37 to 43 mph (60 to 70 km/h), and wave heights were predicted to reach 10 to 13 feet (3 to 4 meters). Despite the warning, it is unclear whether the Sea Story had taken appropriate precautions before heading out on its journey.

The passengers aboard the Sea Story came from a variety of countries, including five from Spain, four from the UK, four from Germany, and two from the US. Additionally, there was one Irish national on board, although it is not yet confirmed whether this individual is among the missing. The crew of the boat, which was Egyptian, remains unharmed, and no further details have been provided about the crew members’ condition.

In the aftermath of the sinking, the UK Foreign Office confirmed that they were providing assistance to the British nationals and their families affected by the incident. The Chinese embassy in Egypt also released a statement confirming that two of its nationals were rescued and reported to be in good health. Local authorities in Marsa Alam have assured the public that the survivors are being well cared for in the wake of the tragedy.

Marsa Alam is renowned for its diving sites and vibrant coral reefs, drawing thousands of tourists every year. The boat, Sea Story, was owned by an Egyptian national and had undergone a maritime safety inspection earlier in March 2024, receiving a one-year certificate of validity. According to the Red Sea governorate, the inspection confirmed that the boat was safe to operate, and no technical faults were identified at the time of the incident.

The Sea Story was a relatively new vessel, having been built in 2022. It is 44 meters (144 feet) long and features four decks with 18 cabins, capable of accommodating up to 36 passengers. At this stage, there has been no official statement from Dive Pro Liveaboard, the Egyptian operator of the Sea Story. However, the company’s website confirms that the boat had been built recently and was well-equipped for such excursions.

This incident is the latest in a series of accidents that have occurred in the area. Last year, a similar tragedy occurred off the coast of Marsa Alam when a diving boat caught fire, resulting in the deaths of three British nationals. As the search for the remaining missing passengers continues, both local authorities and international agencies are working together to ensure the safety of all involved and to find the missing people.

While no comments have been made yet regarding the cause of the sinking, officials have stressed that efforts to locate the missing passengers remain ongoing, and the public is urged to stay hopeful for their safe recovery.