The Red Sea Governor, Major General Amr Hanafi, announced the latest developments in the tragic sinking of the tourist boat Sea Story off the coast of Marsa Alam. Rescue operations, led by the naval forces, have so far located seven additional individuals—three survivors (two Belgians and one Egyptian) and four unidentified bodies. This brings the total number of individuals pulled from the water to 35, while efforts are ongoing to locate nine others still missing.
Incident Overview
The accident occurred 46 nautical miles south of Marsa Alam during a diving trip aboard the Sea Story. The boat departed from Porto Ghalib Port on November 24, 2024, for a week-long journey, and was scheduled to return to Hurghada Marina on November 29.
The vessel, owned by an Egyptian national, measured 34 meters in length and 9.5 meters in width. It carried 44 passengers, including 13 Egyptians and 31 tourists of various nationalities, including German, British, American, Belgian, Swiss, and others. The boat’s last inspection was conducted in March 2024, and it was certified seaworthy, with no reported technical issues.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts
Initial rescue efforts began following a distress signal received at 5:30 a.m. on Monday. Naval forces, assisted by a nearby tourist boat (Star Jet), managed to save 28 passengers on the first day. Ten ambulances were deployed to provide immediate first aid to survivors, most of whom suffered minor injuries such as bruises and abrasions.
As of today:
- 31 individuals have been rescued alive, with survivors in stable condition.
- 4 bodies have been recovered, but their identities remain unknown.
- 9 people are still missing, including 4 Egyptians and 5 foreign nationals.
Cause of the Sinking
Preliminary reports from survivors indicate that the boat capsized within minutes after being struck by a sudden large wave. The rapid nature of the incident, coupled with some passengers being inside their cabins, prevented several individuals from escaping.
Official Response
Governor Hanafi visited the site of the incident and personally checked on the survivors’ well-being. He praised the swift action of all involved parties, including the naval forces, the Maritime Rescue Center, and local authorities, for their coordinated efforts. Rescue teams are continuing combing operations around the clock, supported by the Armed Forces and other maritime agencies.
The governor emphasized the commitment to keeping embassies and consulates of affected nationals informed and providing necessary support. Survivors have been accommodated in a tourist hotel in Marsa Alam.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are investigating the incident, including interviewing the boat crew to determine the exact cause. The Governorate’s Operations Room is closely monitoring the situation, and further updates will be provided as search efforts progress.
This tragic event has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a leisurely diving expedition. Rescue teams remain hopeful of locating the remaining missing passengers.
Source: Red Sea Governorate
Update at 13:42 GMT: 8 survivors have now been located
