Tourist Submarine Sinks in Red Sea, Killing Six Russians
At least six people, all Russian nationals, died Thursday after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Egyptian Red Sea resort town, Al Jazeera reports.
The Red Sea governorate confirmed the deaths and reported that 39 foreign tourists were rescued after the incident, which occurred off a beach in the tourist promenade area. No missing persons have been reported following the rescue operation.
The submarine, carrying 45 tourists and five Egyptian crew members, sank approximately one kilometer from the shore around 10:00 AM local time (08:00 GMT), according to Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi. He stated that rescue teams were dispatched swiftly after the incident.
Hanafi’s office clarified that the 45 tourists were “of different nationalities including Russian, Indian, Norwegian and Swedish.” The Russian consulate in Hurghada confirmed these details, identifying the submarine as the “Sindbad.”
The cause of the sinking remains unclear. Weather conditions on Thursday were reportedly clear with optimal underwater visibility. Egypt’s Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper reported that investigations into the incident are underway.
According to the Sindbad Submarines website, the vessel was equipped with large portholes designed to allow passengers to observe the Red Sea’s vibrant coral reefs and marine life, and was capable of diving to a depth of 82 feet.
Hurghada, located approximately 280 miles southeast of Cairo, is a major tourist destination in Egypt, particularly popular with Russian visitors.
The Red Sea region has witnessed several fatal accidents in recent years. In November, a dive boat capsized off Marsa Alam, south of Hurghada, resulting in four deaths and seven missing. Last June, two dozen French tourists were safely evacuated before their boat sank due to storm damage. In 2023, a fire broke out on a yacht carrying British tourists, claiming three lives.
Despite these incidents, tourism remains a vital sector for the Egyptian economy. A recent United Nations report ranked Egypt first in Africa for tourism revenue in 2024, generating $14.1 billion, exceeding its Suez Canal revenue by more than twofold.
