- Most of the ships were rescued and taken to their hotels, hospitals.
- Local media reported that the rescue team saved 29 of 45 passengers.
- In November, four people drowned and 33 were rescued in the tragedy of the diving boat.
Six foreign nationals were killed on Thursday, and a submarine sank on the coast of Helgada, Egypt’s Red Sea resort, on its back, the local governor’s office told Reuters.
The Russian consulate in Hurghada said the submarine named Sindbad has 45 Russian tourists in addition to its crew. It said four people were dead, but did not specify whether they were Russians or not.
“Most of the people on board were rescued and taken to hotels and hospitals in Helgada,” the consulate said, adding that the fate of several tourists was still clarified.
Local media reported that the rescue team had saved 29 of the 45 passengers.
Known for its coral reefs and marine life, the Red Sea is a key hub for Egypt’s crucial tourism industry, where Russian tourists play an increasingly role.
In November, four people were drowned and 33 were rescued when a tourist diving boat was hit by high waves and sank within minutes. The Ministry of Environment said at the time that another ship sank after the storm damage, although no reports were reported.
A UN report ranked Egypt first in Africa for $14.1 billion in 2024, more than double the Suez Canal revenue, highlighting the important role of tourism in maintaining a hard-pressed economy.
