In a distressing incident, at least 17 individuals remain unaccounted for after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea, as reported by Egyptian authorities on Monday. The event, which unfolded near the coastal town of Marsa Alam, has prompted a significant rescue operation.
Governor Amr Hanafy of the Red Sea region confirmed the rescue of 28 people from the yacht, some of whom were airlifted for medical attention. “The governorate received a distress call shortly before dawn,” Hanafy stated. The yacht, a 2022-built wooden-hulled motor vessel known as the Sea Story, was designed to accommodate up to 36 passengers during its five-day voyage.
Onboard were 31 tourists from various nationalities along with 14 crew members. Unfortunately, the cause of the sinking remains undetermined, and efforts to reach the yacht’s operator have so far been unsuccessful. The Egyptian military is actively collaborating with local authorities to manage the rescue efforts.
This event underscores the growing concerns about safety in the Red Sea region, exacerbated by ongoing regional conflicts. As a precaution, several tourism operators have curtailed their activities in the area, highlighting the risks associated with travel despite the region’s popularity with tourists.
The tragic sinking of the yacht off the coast of Marsa Alam has resulted in a frantic search for the missing individuals. The rescue operations, supported by the Egyptian military, aim to find those still unaccounted for. This incident adds to the broader concerns about maritime safety in conflict-prone regions.
Source: APNews
