Seventeen people were still missing Sunday after a tourist boat sank in the Red Sea, prompting an extensive rescue operation by Egyptian authorities. The accident happened during the early hours of Saturday morning when 28 people were rescued from the waters off Marsa Alam, the biggest diving resort on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coastline.
It made the Mayday call at 5:30 a.m. local time, which identified the vessel as “Sea Story”. The five-day diving tour was carrying 31 tourists and 14 crew members aboard. According to Red Sea Governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi, survivors were found near the Wadi el-Gemal area and were receiving treatment from medics. The rescue operation, in which several bodies have already been retrieved, continues, joined by the Egyptian Navy warship “El Fateh” and military planes.
In general, Marsa Alam is rated as one of the very best places to go diving in Egypt; it has extremely clear water and great coral reefs. The variety of marine life and secluded diving spots are what divers love about this area, attracting thousands each year. But on the other hand, that speaks to the high stakes involved in an accident happening in such remote waters.
While it’s still not known just what caused the sinking of “Sea Story”, some questions are being raised about safety measures and oversight, local media reported. The operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard, has so far not commented on the tragedy.
“Sea Story”: A Closer Look
From its operator’s website, the “Sea Story” was built in 2022, with a modern design capable of carrying up to 36 passengers. It measured 44 meters in length, with four decks and 18 cabins. Of course, the new build does imply modern safety features, but the sudden sinking begs questions as to what went wrong.
The cause of the accident is likely to consider mechanical conditions and weather at the time the voyage occurred. It will also examine the maritime safety protocols by the crew in question.
Operations Recovery and Rescue Ongoing
Given that daylight hours are, by any stretch, an essential ingredient in any search operation, the rescue teams are concentrating their operations in waters south of Marsa Alam. The Egyptian Navy, belonging to the maritime forces, among others, is extending the radius of search, with the hope of finding the missing persons as quickly as possible. The treatment of the rescued is going on in various local hospitals; however, the full extent of the injuries is yet to be told.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers inherent in any diving expedition, even in those locations considered well-trafficked. It has come to light in the wake of such tragedies that greater measures in safety and regulations should be initiated to protect life in such activities. Tourism is a very crucial factor in the Egyptian economy, and at this very critical juncture, it has to work at balancing the improvements of safety concerns with support for those affected by this disaster.
