Representational image.
Egypt: A routine underwater excursion turned fatal on Thursday when a tourist submarine operated by Sindbad Submarines sank off the Egyptian resort city of Hurghada, killing six Russian tourists and leaving four others critically injured. The vessel was carrying 45 tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, along with five Egyptian crew members.
According to Major General Amr Hanafy, all non-Russian passengers were safely rescued and transported to hospitals and hotels. The Russian consulate in Hurghada confirmed the deaths and stated that the submarine sank approximately one kilometre from the shore at around 10 AM.
Rescue and investigation underway
Emergency teams managed to evacuate most of the passengers quickly, but the incident has raised concerns about marine tourism safety in Egypt. Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation, questioning the crew and operators of Sindbad Submarines.
Despite the vessel having a valid operating license and the captain holding the required scientific certifications, investigators are reviewing possible mechanical failures or operational lapses that led to the disaster.
Stable weather, unclear cause
The weather conditions at the time of the incident were reported to be stable, with clear skies, light winds below 10 kph, and temperatures around 30°C (86°F). Sindbad Submarines, the company operating the vessel, advertises that its submarines are designed to withstand depths of up to 75 metres and are equipped with emergency safety equipment.
The company runs two submarines, each capable of carrying 44 passengers and two pilots, providing 40-minute tours at depths of 25 metres to allow tourists to view coral reefs and marine life through large windows.
Previous maritime accidents in Egypt’s tourism sector
The Red Sea is a key hub for Egypt’s tourism industry, which remains a pillar of the national economy. This accident follows several recent maritime disasters in Egyptian waters:
- November 2024 – A tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea, leaving 16 people missing.
- June 2024 – A boat sank due to high waves, though no casualties were reported.
- March 2025 – A tourist boat capsized en route to Hurghada after maintenance.
Russia remains a significant contributor to Egypt’s tourism industry, and the incident may impact future Russian tourist inflow. A United Nations report ranked Egypt first in Africa for tourism revenue in 2024, with $14.1 billion in earnings, surpassing Suez Canal revenues.
Authorities are expected to review safety regulations for marine tourism following this latest tragedy. Investigators will continue their probe into the cause of the submarine’s failure as survivors recover and families of the victims seek answers.
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