Kategorie: News
The accident happened near the harbor
A submarine sank off the Egyptian coast near the tourist resort of Hurghada. More than 40 people were on board. Local media report six dead. The Russian Embassy in Cairo announced that four Russian citizens were killed in the incident, with dozens on board the submarine. At least nine other tourists are said to have been injured.
Update from March 27th / 4:45 p.m.
According to unconfirmed reports, the accident of the tourist submarine Sindbad happened during the boarding process. Most of the people were still outside the boat, a large proportion presumably on the accessible upper part. The boarding process had probably just begun when the ship tilted and, due to the open hatch, quickly took on water and began to sink. This sequence of events would fit with the fortunately very low death toll. If a fully occupied boat had completely submerged, a hull rupture or major leak would certainly have resulted in significantly higher casualties. This sequence of events has not yet been officially confirmed, but it generally fits with the further information we have. We will report here as new information becomes available.
Original article from March 27th / 1:20 p.m.
The Russian Embassy in Egypt further states that all tourists on board the submarine were Russians. According to another source on the ground, there were 45 passengers on board the ship, including children. Initially, the local media reported that six people had died and that the tourists were of different nationalities. Whether the information in the initial report or the Russian Embassy is correct cannot yet be definitively verified.
Several ambulances were sent to the scene of the accident at the harbor. The cause of the incident is not yet known. The Red Sea Security Directorate confirmed the sinking of the tourist submarine near the marina of a renowned hotel, with several dead and injured.
The local governor's office in Hurghada told the Reuters news agency that six foreigners, whose nationality is unknown, were killed in the submarine incident in the Red Sea. This is in line with the information from some local sources, who also assume that there were six fatalities. So far, we have not been able to definitively verify the exact number of victims.
Information about the boat Sindbad
Sindbad has been offering tourist excursions in the Hurghada region for several years.
The company claims to own two of the world's only >>14 real leisure submarines<<. The company allows tourists to dive up to 25 meters deep with the submarine to explore “500 meters of coral reef and its marine life”. The Sindbad Submarines website goes on to say: “It offers 44 passenger seats - two pilot seats and a large circular viewing window for each passenger.”
The operator of the tourist boat describes the tours as follows: ”Add a dash of adventure to your Hurghada vacation! Take the chance of a unique experience and come aboard the submarine Hurghada >>Sinbad Submarine<<, which will take you on a special underwater excursion. We will pick you up at your hotel for this 3-hour excursion and take you to the jetty, where your underwater adventure begins.
The >>Sinbad Submarine<< is the only submarine in the Middle East and, in addition to the two experienced captains, can take a total of 44 passengers. Descend to a depth of 22 meters and enjoy this unique experience so deep below the surface of the Red Sea. A magnificent variety of corals and tropical fish await your astonished eyes. You don't have to be a diver to discover the wonders of the underwater world! You can do it too!”