Here’s all we know about the tourist submarine that sank off the coast of Egypt, killing six people earlier today.
So far, local officials have verified six deaths, with an additional 29 people on board being evacuated to local hospitals with injuries.
The shipwreck happened near the Egyptian city of Hurghada, on the Red Sea coast, approximately 290 miles (ca. 467 km) from Cairo. According to the Russian embassy, the sinking occurred around 1,000 meters (0.6 miles) offshore.
Hurghada is a popular tourist destination, especially among snorkelers and divers who want to experience the region’s coral reefs and varied marine life.
When did the submarine sink?
According to the BBC, the sinking occurred at roughly 10 a.m. local time (8 a.m. GMT).
The submarine involved was named Sindbad, and the company’s website states that trips will show guests ‘breathtaking vistas’ of ‘500 meters of coral reef and its marine creatures,’ adding that passengers may ‘enjoy the beauty of the Red Sea’s underwater environment without getting wet.’
Regular tours typically occur at a depth of about 80 feet (25 meters). Images of the Sindbad submarine show a vessel with big windows and panoramic views of the ocean below.
Who was aboard the submarine when it sank?
The precise number of passengers onboard has changed, but according to PA, there were 50 persons on board when the ferry sank: 45 tourists and five Egyptian staff members.
The six victims were verified to be Russian nationals by Amr Hanafi, the governor of the Red Sea area, who also stated that the other passengers were Swedish, Norwegian, and Indian.
Four of the six people who died were believed to have drowned.
According to Russia’s Tass news agency, the casualties included two children, citing a report from the Russian embassy in Hurghada.
All passengers have already been accounted for.
What caused the submarine to sink?
Egyptian officials are now examining the cause of the submarine sinking, with no official explanation yet provided.
Governor Hanafi has subsequently confirmed that the vessel had legal licenses, and the crew leader has the necessary scientific credentials.’