A sudden powerful wave likely caused the capsize of the Sea Story tourist boat off the coast of Marsa Alam.
The wave resulted in swift overturning within five to seven minutes. The boat with 44 people on board, including 13 crew, sent a distress signal at 05:30 (03:30 GMT), according to the governor of Red Sea province.
Of the passengers aboard, 28 were rescued, including an Irish citizen, while efforts continue to locate 16 missing individuals from a mix of nationalities reportedly four Egyptian, five Spanish, four British, four Germans, two US Americans and possible two Polish.
The Red Sea Governor, Amr Hanafi, confirmed that the boat was safety certified earlier in 2024 and that some passengers were trapped in their cabins when the wave struck, hindering their escape.
Emergency response teams, including the Armed Forces, are actively assisting survivors and coordinating with embassies to provide support for those affected. The survivors are being cared for in a local tourist hotel.
Weather forecasts indicated turbulent conditions, with high winds and wave heights, which may have contributed to the disaster, prompting concerns about the safety measures in place for diving excursions.
The incident has raised awareness regarding the vulnerabilities of tourism operators in Egypt, leading to potential scrutiny over safety regulations and operational procedures for marine activities in the Red Sea region.
The event has been described as a wake up call for the tourism industry, with travellers becoming more cautious and potentially influencing future bookings for adventure-related tours.
The Sea Story left port near Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving trip. Marsa Alam does not have direct flights from Ireland although Hurghada, 200km to the north is a popular destination.
