THE luxury boat that capsized off the Egyptian coast took just five minutes to sink as tourists were left trapped inside their cabins, Red Sea governor reveals.
Two Brits are still feared to be among 16 people missing after a freak wave reportedly hit the Sea Story and caused it to flip onto its side before plunging below the water.
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Governor of the Red Sea, Amr Hanafi, says 28 people have been rescued so far with search operations continuing in the desperate hunt for the remaining tourists.
Hanafi said: “The initial cause of the accident, according to the accounts of foreigners and the Egyptian crew, was a large wave from the sea that hit the boat, causing it to capsize.
“The matter was sudden and fast, as it took about five or seven minutes, and some of the passengers were inside the cabins, which is the secret behind their inability to get out of the boat.”
Many of those still feared missing are believed to be experienced divers, he added.
The desperate hunt for the remaining missing people has seen the Navy called in to aid in rescue operations near Marsa Alam.
Alongside them the Armed Forces in search and rescue work and the General Command of the Armed Forces have been deployed.
The boat had been on the water despite authorities in Hurghada shutting down activities and the city’s port on Sunday due to “bad weather conditions.”
Egyptian weather forecasters predicted wave heights to reach 10-13 feet in the Red Sea before Sea Story departed.
It was unclear how the tourist vessel was given permission to sail in such stormy conditions.
Support is being given to “a number of British nationals and their families”, the UK Foreign Office said.
The matter was sudden and fast, as it took about five or seven minutes, and some of the passengers were inside the cabins, which is the secret behind their inability to get out of the boat
Amr Hanafi
According to local media, four Germans, two Spaniards, two Belgians, two Americans, one Irishman, and a Finn were also on board.
The others on the trip were from China, Slovakia, Switzerland, Poland, Norway, Finland and Egypt.
Eight survivors have been named so far.
They include Ahmed Ramzy, Mohamed Ibrahim, Ayman Foley, Ahmed Sayed Ali, Mohamed Mohamed Metwally, Ahmed Adel, Ali Shaaban and Mohamed Mustafa, report Zaaed News.
It is still unclear which nationalities they are from.
The Chinese embassy in Egypt declared two of its citizens were safe yesterday.
Built in 2022, Sea Story is a 144-feet pleasure boat able to carry up to 32 passengers.
Trippers are thought to have paid £1,000 for a seven-night trip on the luxury yacht.
With 18 twin cabins, the vessel takes tourists on diving trips to explore reefs and wrecks in the Red Sea.
The Foreign Office has said it is providing support to “a number of British nationals and their families”.
The Red Sea is a popular diving destination renowned for its coral reefs and marine life and is vital to Egypt’s tourism industry.
In June last year, three British tourists died and 12 were rescued after a scuba diving boat Hurricane caught fire off off Marsa Alam.
Twelve other divers and 14 crew, including the captain, were rescued after abandoning the ship, which had set sail for the Elphinstone Reef diving spot.
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