Three bodies have been recovered from the tourist yacht which was hit by a “huge wave” and sank off the Red Sea coast of Egypt on Monday, the region’s governor has announced.
Two Britons were among the 16 people initially reported missing after a massive rescue operation saved 28 people from the imperilled vessel, according to the governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafi. It is unconfirmed whether the Brits were among the bodies recovered on Tuesday.
The rescue is being co-ordinated by the Egyptian military and the Red Sea Governate, with armed forces aircraft deployed to the scene.
The boat sank off the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam with 31 tourists of various nationalities and 13 crew members on board.
Mr Hanafi said the yacht capsized in about five to seven minutes with some passengers trapped inside their cabins, according to survivors.
Some tourists were airlifted to receive medical treatment. It has not been confirmed what caused the four-deck motor yacht to sink.
But the Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about rough weather, advising against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday on the Red Sea.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Key points
- Three bodies recovered from capsized boat
- What caused the yacht to sink?
- Pictured: Survivors of capsized vessel
- Two Britons feared missing in Red Sea
- UK giving consular support to British families
Breaking: Three bodies recovered from capsized boat
09:37
Alex Croft
Three bodies have been recovered from the capsized tourist boat off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, the governor of the region has announced.
Thirteen people remain missing, Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi told Reuters on Tuesday.
We will bring you more detail as it comes.
In pictures: Medics await possible survivors
09:25
Alex Croft
Watch: Egypt tourist yacht survivors gather after boat sinks
09:09
Alex Croft
Ireland providing consular assistance to Irish nationals
08:48
Alex Croft
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has released a statement after a vessel - which was holding Irish nationals - capsized in the Red Sea.
The department said it was “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance”.
No further detail was provided.
What caused the yacht to sink?
08:33
Alex Croft
It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck motor yacht to sink after it departed from the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam on Monday.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about rough weather and large waves, advising against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday on the Red Sea.
A surviving crew member also said the boat was “hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side”.
Other survivors said a “high sea wave” hit the vessel and caused it to capsize in “about five or seven minutes”, according to the governor of the Red Sea region Amr Hanafi.
Pictures: Rescued tourists after yacht sinking
08:00
Namita Singh
Watch: Rescuers help survivors of boat sunk off Red Sea coast
07:45
Alex Croft
What we still don't know about the yacht sinking
07:30
Namita Singh
At least 16 people are missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea amidst warnings of rough weather, according to Egyptian officials. The vessel, named Sea Story, was carrying 44 people, including 31 foreign nationals and 13 Egyptians, some of whom were crew members.
Over 24 hours since the distress call, authorities have yet to disclose the identities of the 16 missing individuals. Apart from confirming the presence of two Britons and four Egyptians among them, no additional details regarding the names, ages, or nationalities of the victims have been released. So far, there has also been no confirmation of fatalities.
The international passengers hailed from countries including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.
Rescuers are continuing their search for the missing, which includes four Egyptians and 12 foreigners.
The survivors mostly escaped with only bruises and abrasions, have been moved to a hotel in Marsa Alam and are reported to be in good condition, according to Amr Hanafy, governor of the Red Sea region.
Preliminary reports suggest the yacht capsized after being struck by a large wave. Statements from crew members and passengers indicate that the incident unfolded within minutes, with some passengers still inside the cabins when the wave hit. Officials have confirmed that the boat had no technical issues, was fully compliant with safety regulations, and had passed a naval safety inspection in March.
Yacht was carrying 31 foreigners
07:00
Alexander Butler
Amr Hanafi, governor of the Red Sea region, said the yacht was carrying 44 people. It has capacity for 48 people, according to its website.
This included 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland.
Recap: Two Britons among 16 missing after tourist yacht sinks in Red Sea
06:45
Namita Singh
Two Britons are reported to be among dozens of people missing after a tourist yacht capsized off the coast of Egypt.
Sea Story was carrying 44 people and sunk after being hit by a wave in the Red Sea at around 5.30am local time on Monday morning, said Amr Hanafi, governor of the Red Sea region.
While 28 people were rescued, 16 people remained missing on Monday night, Mr Hanafi said.
Report:
Passengers were stuck inside cabins, governor says
06:00
Alexander Butler
Some passengers were stuck inside cabins when the vessel was hit by a large wave and capsized, the Red Sea’s governor said.
Mapped: Where did the yacht sink?
05:45
Namita Singh
Sixteen people, including two Britons and four Egyptians, are missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea off Egypt while on its way from Porto Ghalib in Marsa Alam to Hurghada Marina.
Three Britons killed in Marsa Alam last year
05:30
Namita Singh
This is not the first time that Britons have found themselves in the middle of a tragedy in Marsa Alam. It is a popular destination for tourists embarking on diving holidays, as it is near large areas with coral reefs.
Three Britons died in June last year when the diving boat they were on burst into flames off Marsa Alam.
The fire was caused by a suspected electrical fault.
When was the distress call made?
05:15
Namita Singh
A distress call was received at 5.30am from the boat, which had departed from Porto Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday with plans to return to Hurghada Marina on 29 November.
Egyptian armed forces frigates and aircraft swept the area in search of the missing, but by 5pm the search had been paused for the night, a government source told Reuters on Monday.
Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi said that Egypt is collaborating with embassies, consulates, and relevant authorities to facilitate documentation for the rescued passengers, who are staying at a hotel in Marsa Alam, and to ensure their needs are met.
Chinese and Polish nationals declared safe
05:00
Alexander Butler
The Chinese embassy in Egypt said Monday two of its nationals were “in good health” after being “rescued in the cruise ship sinking accident in the Red Sea”, Chinese state media reported.
Pawel Wronski, the Polish foreign ministry spokesman, said authorities “have information that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship”.
“That’s all we know about them. That’s all we can say for now,” he said. The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed one of its nationals is missing.
How have governments responded?
04:30
Namita Singh
Sixteen people, including two Britons and four Egyptians, are missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea off Egypt.
The Sea Story was carrying 44 in total, including 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland, when the vessel was hit by a “high sea wave”, causing it to capsize.
The UK foreign office said it was providing consular support to “a number of British nationals and their families” after the sinking.
Ireland’s department of foreign affairs also told The Associated Press in an email that it is “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance” without revealing further details.
Spain’s foreign ministry said it was not aware of any Spanish nationals among the missing. The ministry said that five Spanish nationals were rescued and are out of danger.
Watch: Rescuers help survivors of boat sunk off Red Sea coast as two Britons feared missing
04:00
Alexander Butler
What happened and how was the rescue coordinated?
03:14
Namita Singh
The yacht, named Sea Story, had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey when a distress call was made shortly before dawn on Monday.
Amr Hanafi, governor of the Red Sea region, said that according to those on board, a “high sea wave” hit the vessel and caused it to capsize in “about five or seven minutes”.
Some passengers were inside the cabins, “which is why they couldn’t get out of the boat”, his statement on Facebook said.
Mr Hanafi ruled out any technical defect with the ship, saying that all the required licences were obtained before the trip. It was last checked for naval safety in March, according to officials.
Rescue operations are being co-ordinated by the Egyptian military and the Red Sea Governorate.
Armed forces aircraft were deployed above the scene as part of the response.
Yacht operation company ‘has no information on matter’
03:04
Namita Singh
The yacht was operated by Dive Pro Liveaboard, which is based in the Egyptian resort of Hurghada.
The company said it has no information on the matter.
What caused the yacht to sink?
03:00
Namita Singh
It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck motor yacht to sink after it departed from the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam on Monday.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about rough weather and large waves, advising against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday on the Red Sea.
Governor of the Red Sea region Amr Hanafi according to those on board, a huge wave hit the vessel and caused it to capsize in about five or seven minutes.
Some passengers were inside the cabins, “which is why they couldn’t get out of the boat”, his statement on Facebook said.
Technical issue ruled out
02:00
Alexander Butler
Governor of the Red Sea region Amr Hanafi ruled out that there was a technical defect to the ship, saying that all the required licences had been obtained for The Sea Story.
Yacht was carrying 31 foreigners
01:00
Alexander Butler
Amr Hanafi, governor of the Red Sea region, said the yacht was carrying 44 people. It has capacity for 48 people, according to its website.
This included 31 foreign nationals from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland.
Passengers were stuck inside cabins, governor says
Monday 25 November 2024 23:50
Alexander Butler
Some passengers were stuck inside cabins when the vessel was hit by a large wave and capsized, the Red Sea’s governor said.
Two Britons feared missing in Red Sea
Monday 25 November 2024 23:30
Alexander Butler
Two Britons are reported to be among dozens of people feared missing after a tourist yacht was “hit by a wave” and sank off the coast of Egypt on Monday.
At least 16 people are feared missing despite a massive rescue operation saving 28 people from the vessel, according to the governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafi.
The boat sank off the south of the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam with 31 tourists of various nationalities on board along with 13 crew members.
Four of those on board were British, according to Egyptian officials cited by local media. The BBC has reported two British people are still missing.
Chinese and Polish nationals declared safe
Monday 25 November 2024 23:10
Alexander Butler
The Chinese embassy in Egypt said Monday two of its nationals were “in good health” after being “rescued in the cruise ship sinking accident in the Red Sea”, Chinese state media reported.
Pawel Wronski, the Polish foreign ministry spokesman, said authorities “have information that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship”.
“That’s all we know about them. That’s all we can say for now,” he said. The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed one of its nationals is missing.
Pictured: Survivors of capsized vessel
Monday 25 November 2024 22:50
Alexander Butler
Watch: Rescuers help survivors of boat sunk off Red Sea coast as two Britons feared missing
Monday 25 November 2024 22:30
Alexander Butler
What caused the yacht to sink?
Monday 25 November 2024 22:10
Alexander Butler
It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck motor yacht to sink after it departed from the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam on Monday.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about rough weather and large waves, advising against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday on the Red Sea.
Governor of the Red Sea region Amr Hanafi according to those on board, a huge wave hit the vessel and caused it to capsize in about five or seven minutes
.Some passengers were inside the cabins, “which is why they couldn’t get out of the boat”, his statement on Facebook said.
Pictured: Sea Story vessel
Monday 25 November 2024 21:48
Alexander Butler
The 144-foot two-engine Sea Story vessel was built in 2022 and is registered in Safaga, Egypt, according to the boat’s owner.
Owned by tourist company Dive pro Liveaboard, the boat has space for 36 passengers and 12 crew members including a captain, cooks, waiters and sailors.
At the time it sank, it was carrying 44 people. This included 31 tourists and 13 crew members, according to the Red Sea governornate.
It carried safety jackets in each cabin and two 25-person safety rafts, according to Dive pro Liveaboard’s website.
Passengers were stuck inside cabins, governor says
Monday 25 November 2024 21:31
Alexander Butler
Some passengers were stuck inside cabins when the vessel was hit by a large wave and capsized, the Red Sea’s governor said.
UK giving consular support to British families
Monday 25 November 2024 20:30
Alexander Butler
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt and are in contact with the local authorities.”
What caused the yacht to sink?
Monday 25 November 2024 20:00
Alexander Butler
It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck motor yacht to sink after it departed from the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam on Monday.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about rough weather and large waves, advising against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday on the Red Sea.
A surviving crew member also said the boat was “hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side”.
Chinese and Polish nationals declared safe
Monday 25 November 2024 19:47
Alexander Butler
The Chinese embassy in Egypt said Monday two of its nationals were “in good health” after being “rescued in the cruise ship sinking accident in the Red Sea”, Chinese state media reported.
Pawel Wronski, the Polish foreign ministry spokesman, said authorities “have information that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship”.
“That’s all we know about them. That’s all we can say for now,” he said. The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed one of its nationals is missing.
Pictured: Sea Story vessel
Monday 25 November 2024 18:37
Alexander Butler
The 144-foot two-engine Sea Story vessel was built in 2022 and is registered in Safaga, Egypt, according to the boat’s owner.
Owned by tourist company Dive pro Liveaboard, the boat has space for 36 passengers and 12 crew members including a captain, cooks, waiters and sailors.
At the time it sank, it was carrying 44 people. This included 31 tourists and 13 crew members, according to the Red Sea governornate.
It carried safety jackets in each cabin and two 25-person safety rafts, according to Dive pro Liveaboard’s website.
Yacht was ‘hit by a wave’ in middle of night
Monday 25 November 2024 18:26
Alexander Butler
A surviving crew member said the boat was “hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side”.
By Monday afternoon, it had become increasingly “unlikely that the 17 missing would be rescued after 12 hours in the water,” he said.
The boat, named Sea Story, is a 144ft vessel built in 2022. It departed from Port Ghalib on Saturday and was scheduled to return to Hurghada Marina on 29 November.
A distress signal was received at 5.30am on Monday, after which contact was lost.
Pictured: Survivors speak to Red Sea governor
Monday 25 November 2024 18:05
Alexander Butler
Watch: Rescuers help survivors of boat sunk off Red Sea coast as four Britons feared missing
Monday 25 November 2024 17:46
Alexander Butler
Pictured: Survivors rescued from sinking ship
Monday 25 November 2024 17:29
Alexander Butler
Read the full story here
Monday 25 November 2024 17:15
Alexander Butler
Chinese and Polish nationals declared safe
Monday 25 November 2024 17:01
Alexander Butler
The Chinese embassy in Egypt said Monday two of its nationals were “in good health” after being “rescued in the cruise ship sinking accident in the Red Sea”, Chinese state media reported.
Pawel Wronski, the Polish foreign ministry spokesman, said authorities “have information that two of the tourists may have had Polish citizenship”.
“That’s all we know about them. That’s all we can say for now,” he said. The Finnish foreign ministry confirmed one of its nationals is missing.
Yacht was ‘hit by a wave’ in middle of night
Monday 25 November 2024 16:53
Alexander Butler
A surviving crew member said the boat was “hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side”.
By Monday afternoon, it had become increasingly “unlikely that the 17 missing would be rescued after 12 hours in the water,” he said.
The boat, named Sea Story, is a 144ft vessel built in 2022. It departed from Port Ghalib on Saturday and was scheduled to return to Hurghada Marina on 29 November.
A distress signal was received at 5.30am on Monday, after which contact was lost.
UK giving consular support to British families
Monday 25 November 2024 16:51
Alexander Butler
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt and are in contact with the local authorities.”
What caused the yacht to sink?
Monday 25 November 2024 16:48
Alexander Butler
It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck motor yacht to sink after it departed from the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam on Monday.
But the Egyptian Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about rough weather and large waves, advising against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday on the Red Sea.
Two Britons feared missing in Red Sea
Monday 25 November 2024 16:42
Alexander Butler
Two Britons are reported to be among dozens of people feared missing after a tourist yacht was “hit by a wave” and sank off the coast of Egypt on Monday.
At least 16 people are feared missing despite a massive rescue operation saving 28 people from the vessel, according to the governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafi.
The boat sank off the south of the Egyptian coastal town of Marsa Alam with 31 tourists of various nationalities on board along with 13 crew members.
Four of those on board were British, according to Egyptian officials cited by local media. The BBC has reported two British people are still missing.