Egyptian naval forces rescued five more individuals on Tuesday and recovered four bodies following the sinking of a tourist yacht, Sea Story, near Marsa Alam. The incident, attributed to rough weather, occurred on Monday and involved 44 passengers. Thirty-three survivors have been confirmed, while seven remain missing.
The yacht, primarily used for maritime activities, sent a distress signal after a massive wave caused it to capsize. Survivors reported that the boat overturned within minutes, leaving some passengers trapped in their cabins. On Monday, 28 people were rescued, and another five survivors, including two Belgians, an Egyptian, a Swiss citizen, and a Finn, were saved on Tuesday.
According to the governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, the four bodies recovered remain unidentified. The passengers comprised 31 foreign nationals from countries including the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland, as well as 13 Egyptians, including crew members.
The German foreign ministry confirmed three Germans remain missing, while Poland’s foreign ministry reported two missing Polish nationals. Families of the missing have been notified.
The Sea Story had no technical issues and met all safety standards during a routine inspection in March 2024. The vessel left Marsa Alam’s Port Ghalib on Sunday for a five-day voyage but capsized 46 nautical miles from its departure point. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings of turbulent conditions and advised against naval activity on Sunday and Monday.
Known for its pristine beaches and rich marine biodiversity, Marsa Alam is a popular destination for scuba divers. However, the region’s challenging dive sites often require advanced certifications due to strong currents. The Egyptian military continues to assist in the rescue operation.