Three bodies have been recovered from a capsized tourist boat that sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast and 13 people were still missing, the local governor has said.
Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi told Reuters that the yacht, called Sea Story, had been struck by high waves on Monday and sank in less than seven minutes.
The 34-metre boat was carrying 30 tourists from several countries and 14 crew when it sent a distress signal at 5.30am local time (3.30am GMT) on Monday, according to the governorate’s Facebook page.
No information has been released about the nationalities of the people whose bodies were recovered. On Monday, officials had said the missing included four Egyptians and 12 foreigners.
Reports from rescued crew members and tourists indicated it was hit by fast-moving waves, causing it to capsize, the governorate’s statement said. Some of the passengers were inside the cabins when the waves hit the four-decked, wooden-hulled motorised yacht, according to the statement.
Weather forecasters had previously released warnings of rough waters and high winds.
A total of 44 people were on board the yacht, including 13 Egyptians, who included crew, and 31 foreign nationals from the US, Germany, UK, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland.
Twenty-eight people were rescued on Monday from the vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, with some airlifted to receive medical treatment. Two of those rescued were from the UK, according to the BBC. The UK Foreign Office confirmed it was providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families after the incident.
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs also said it was “aware of this incident and is providing consular assistance”, without revealing further details. Spain’s foreign ministry has said that five Spanish nationals were rescued and are out of danger.
Renowned for its coral reefs, the Red Sea is a major hub for Egypt’s tourism industry.
The governorate’s Facebook page showed photos on Monday of what appeared to be rescued tourists speaking to the governor.
The Sea Story was built in 2022 and can hold 36 passengers. The boat had no technical problems, obtained all required permits prior to the trip, and was last checked for naval safety in March, according to officials. It had left Marsa Alam for a five-day journey.
Egypt’s Meteorological Authority on Saturday warned about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for Sunday and Monday.
The Egyptian military was coordinating rescue operations with the governorate.
Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report
