Tragedy strikes: Tourist Sub sinks off Egypt's Red Sea coast; 6 feared dead

At least six people are feared dead after a tourist submarine carrying approximately 40 passengers sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast near Hurghada on Thursday morning. The vessel, operated by Sindbad Submarines, went down around 10:00 AM local time, about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from shore, during a routine excursion to explore the region’s coral reefs. The Russian Consulate General in Hurghada confirmed that all passengers were Russian nationals, with at least four of the deceased identified as Russian citizens.

The submarine, which can dive to depths of 72 feet, was carrying up to 45 passengers, including children, according to consular reports, though exact numbers vary slightly. Emergency services rescued 29 people, while nine others sustained injuries, four of whom are in critical condition and being treated at local hospitals. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to account for all passengers and determine the cause of the sinking, which remains under investigation. Neither Egyptian officials nor Sindbad Submarines, a company touting years of experience with one of the world’s few recreational submarines, have provided an explanation yet.

The incident marks another blow to the Red Sea’s tourist industry, following the November 2024 sinking of the Sea Story boat near Hurghada, which killed 11 people, including a British couple. UK investigators have documented 16 accidents involving “liveaboard” vessels in the area over the past five years, raising persistent safety concerns about tourist excursions in this popular diving destination.

Emergency workers and search crews are trying to find those still unaccounted for.