At least six individuals were killed and numerous others were saved after a tourist submarine went under in the Red Sea near the coast of Egypt.
According to Sky’s US partner NBC News, which cited the Russian embassy in Cairo, among the deceased were four Russian nationals due to the submersible’s sinking off Hurghada.
The submarine, known as Sinbad, carried 45 travelers, including children, NBC has stated.
The embassy conveyed to NBC: “On March 27, at about 10:00, the Sindbad bathyscaphe, belonging to the hotel of the same name, crashed approximately 1km from the shore. […] There were 45 sightseers on board, including minors, besides the crew.”
It continued: “The majority on board were rescued and taken back to their hotels and local hospitals in Hurghada.
“As of now their health condition is reported as stable. Four individuals have died. The situation regarding several other tourists is under verification.”
Local media reports indicate that the ensemble had booked a sea voyage to observe the coral reefs in Hurghada.
Security forces and emergency units responded to the event, including 21 ambulance teams, as per reports by the Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm.
The submarine had been providing tourist excursions in the area for a number of years, the news outlet further added.
Hurghada is a seaside resort town extending along some 25 miles of Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The submarine left from a beach in the tourist promenade vicinity, according to unnamed Egyptian officials quoted by the Associated Press. Passengers on board represented a variety of nationalities.
Some travel agencies have ceased or curtailed journeys on the Red Sea due to regional conflict-related risks.
More details are forthcoming and this ongoing news story will be updated shortly.
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