At least 17 people are missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea due to rough seas, according to Egyptian officials. The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, reported that rescuers managed to save 28 individuals from the vessel, which was located south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam. Some of the survivors were airlifted for medical treatment. The yacht was carrying 31 tourists of various nationalities and 14 crew members.
The distress call from the sinking yacht, named Sea Story, was received by the governorate shortly before dawn on Monday. The vessel had departed from Marsa Alam on a five-day journey. The cause of the sinking of the four-deck, wooden-hulled motor yacht remains unclear. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings about turbulence and high waves in the Red Sea, advising against maritime activities on Sunday and Monday.
The Egyptian military is collaborating with the governorate to coordinate rescue operations for the missing individuals. Dive Pro Liveaboard, the company operating the yacht, provided no information when contacted by The Associated Press. The Sea Story, built in 2022, has a capacity of 36 passengers. Due to safety concerns, many tourist companies have halted or limited travel on the Red Sea, citing dangers from conflicts in the region.
