A tourist submarine carrying 45 people, including Russian nationals, sank Thursday morning off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Red Sea resort city in Egypt, leaving at least six dead and nine others injured, according to officials and statements from the Russian embassy. The vessel, operated by Sindbad Submarines, went down approximately one kilometer from shore around 10:00 a.m. local time.
The Russian embassy in Egypt confirmed four fatalities among those aboard and stated that the Sindbad submarine was conducting a regular underwater tour to view coral reefs when the incident occurred. "According to initial data, most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada," the embassy posted on Facebook, adding that "the fate of several tourists is being clarified."
The embassy noted that minors were among the passengers, but it remains unclear whether any of them are among the deceased. Egyptian authorities have not publicly disclosed the identities or nationalities of the victims. Local officials speaking to the press on condition of anonymity said six people had died and nine were injured.
A statement from the Red Sea governorate reported that 29 people were rescued following the incident, and emergency crews were dispatched to the scene swiftly. The submarine was operating off one of Hurghada's beaches along the tourist promenade, an area popular with foreign visitors.
The cause of the sinking has not been confirmed. CNN reported that it reached out to Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for comment but had not received a response as of Thursday evening.
Sindbad Submarines, the operator of the vessel, advertises a fleet of two Finnish-engineered recreational submarines, each capable of carrying 44 passengers and two pilots. According to the company's website, the vessels are designed to operate at depths of up to 25 meters and include oxygen masks, life vests, air-conditioned cabins, and personal TV monitors.
The company claims its team has "years of experience" and describes the submersibles as capable of enduring underwater pressure up to 75 meters, "ensuring safety and reliability." The excursions typically last 40 minutes and allow passengers to observe marine life and coral over a 500-meter stretch of reef.
This is not the first maritime accident involving tourists in the region. In November, a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea following warnings of rough weather. Sixteen people went missing in that incident, and at least four were confirmed dead.
Egypt's Red Sea coastline has long been a magnet for tourism, a critical pillar of the country's economy. However, the sector has faced increasing pressure in recent years due to regional instability and safety concerns. Some operators have scaled back or suspended Red Sea excursions amid fears related to nearby conflicts and adverse conditions.
