UK Concerns Over Egyptian Submersible Safety After Red Sea Accidents

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has expressed serious concerns about the safety of Egyptian submersibles in the Red Sea following a series of tragic accidents resulting in fatalities, including British nationals. The most recent incident involved the submersible named Marine History, which capsized on November 25, 2024, causing the deaths or disappearance of up to 18 individuals, including two British nationals. This accident follows two other noteworthy incidents: a fire onboard Hurricane on June 11, 2023, which claimed the lives of three British nationals, and the capsizing of Carlton Queen on April 24, 2023, with all passengers and crew thankfully rescued.

Stating that the evidence received thus far raises serious concerns about the safety of certain Egyptian submersibles in the Red Sea, MAIB officials have taken action by contacting the Egyptian Maritime Safety Authority (EAMS) to outline safety issues and requesting their full cooperation in investigations. In response to these incidents, the UK has formally registered as a state with significant interest in the Egyptian security investigations, in line with the protocols of the IMO Casualty Investigation Code.

As a precautionary measure, MAIB is preparing a safety bulletin offering crucial advice for tourists contemplating a diving vacation in the region. These developments occur at a crucial juncture when maritime security in the Red Sea is under intense scrutiny, particularly in the southern Red Sea region, where the Iran-backed Houthis continue launching drone and missile attacks on vessels linked to Israel.

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