Six dead as tourist submarine sinks in Red Sea near Egypt: What we know

Post by: Bandan Preet

On Thursday, a tourist submarine sank during a regular underwater sightseeing tour off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Red Sea resort city in Egypt. The tragic incident claimed the lives of at least six Russian tourists on board.

What Happened?

The submarine, owned by Sindbad Submarines, was designed to take tourists underwater to view coral reefs and marine life — a major attraction in the area. However, during the dive, the vessel reportedly hit a reef around 20 meters (65 feet) below the sea’s surface. The impact caused it to lose pressure, making it difficult to keep water out.

Despite the crew's efforts to bring the submarine back to the surface, it quickly sank at around 10 AM local time (08:00 GMT). Authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the accident, and investigations are still ongoing.

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Where Did It Sink?

The submarine sank approximately 1 km (0.6 miles) off the shore of Hurghada. The city is located about 480 km (300 miles) southeast of Cairo, Egypt's capital. The Red Sea is a major hub for Egypt’s tourism industry, which is vital for the country’s economy. Russian tourists make up a large part of the visitors to this region.

From January to August 2024, around 380,000 Russian tourists visited Hurghada, according to Egyptian tourism statistics.

Who Was on Board?

At the time of the accident, the submarine was carrying 50 people — 45 tourists and 5 Egyptian crew members, according to Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi.

The passengers included people from Russia, Norway, Sweden, and India.

Who Died in the Incident?

Sadly, six people died in the accident. This included:

• Four adults and two children — all identified as Russian nationals.

• Among the victims were members of the same family who were on vacation in Egypt.

• Egyptian authorities suggested that a married doctor couple was also among the dead.

The remaining 39 tourists and five crew members were rescued. No one is missing. However, 29 people were injured, suffering from bruises, cuts, and mild hypothermia. Four of the injured are in critical condition and are being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Details About the Submarine

The Sindbad submarine had been operating as a tourist attraction for several years. According to the company, it is one of only 14 real recreational submarines worldwide and the only one in Africa and the Arab world.

Built in Finland, the submarine was designed to handle underwater pressure up to 75 meters (246 feet). In case of emergencies, oxygen masks and life vests were available onboard.

The tours typically take passengers 25 meters (82 feet) underwater for a 40-minute journey. The company, which has over 25 years of experience in marine tourism, promotes the activity as safe and family-friendly.

What Are Survivors Saying?

Survivors described the terrifying moments when the submarine began to sink.

• Elena Boldareva, one of the survivors, told the UK’s Daily Mirror that the vessel started to dive with its hatches still open.

• As water rushed in, passengers scrambled to escape.

• Boldareva and her husband managed to swim out, but her daughter and mother were rushed to the hospital in serious condition.

• Survivors were taken to Hurghada General Hospital for treatment and observation.

How Did Authorities Respond?

Egyptian authorities quickly launched a search and rescue mission, led by the Red Sea governorate and the Egyptian coastguard.

• Divers reached the site within an hour.

• Several boats helped bring survivors to shore.

• Governor Hanafi stated that the submarine had all the necessary licenses and had passed technical inspections.

Investigations with the crew are now underway to determine what caused the accident.

Is Underwater Tourism Growing?

The sinking of the Sindbad submarine has raised concerns about safety standards in underwater tourism.

The underwater tourism industry is expanding globally, offering scuba diving, snorkeling, and submarine tours.

• In 2017, the industry was worth around $36 billion, and it has grown since then.

• However, experts have warned that safety regulations are struggling to keep up with the industry’s growth.

Similar Accidents in the Past

This is not the first underwater accident in recent years.

• In June 2024, 24 French tourists were rescued after their boat capsized near Marsa Alam, another Red Sea resort.

• In November 2024, 30 people were saved from a sinking boat near Daedalus Reef, about 90 km (56 miles) from Marsa Alam.

A similar tragedy happened in June 2023, when the Titan submersible went missing off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It was carrying five people, including four tourists and the founder of OceanGate, the company that owned the vessel. The submersible imploded, killing everyone on board.

What’s Next?

The recent submarine accident has raised serious concerns about tourism safety in Egypt, especially for Red Sea excursions.

• Many tourist companies have paused or reduced underwater tours due to security concerns caused by conflicts in the region.

• Sindbad Submarines, which operates two tourist submarines out of Hurghada, has not yet made an official statement about the accident.

• Their website was temporarily down but is now running again.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to find out what exactly caused the submarine to sink.

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