This is what Sea Story looks like.Image: Liveaboard
Rescuers rescued four survivors and recovered four bodies after a boating accident off the coast of Egypt on Tuesday. Amr Hanafi, the governor in charge of the region, announced that among the survivors was a previously missing Swiss man. The number of survivors increased to 32.
The three people rescued on Tuesday were two Belgian tourists and an Egyptian. A second Swiss man was rescued uninjured on Monday, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) announced on Monday.
Eight people were still missing Tuesday. Egyptian authorities said Egyptian military frigates, helicopters and divers were continuing to search for them. Additionally, four bodies were discovered on Tuesday, which according to Governor Hanafi have yet to be identified.
Hit by a big wave
In the early hours of Monday morning, the “Ocean Story” cruise ship was hit by large waves near the port of Alam in southeastern Egypt, resulting in a total of 31 tourists of different nationalities and 13 crew members on board.
Egyptian authorities reported on Monday that the ship sank within five to seven minutes after being hit by waves. Some passengers, including tourists from Europe, China and the United States, were unable to leave the cabin on time.
Army rescuers and a passing tourist boat pulled 28 people from the water on Monday. According to sources at Port Alam Hospital, six tourists and three Egyptians were admitted to the hospital with minor injuries and were discharged the same day.
According to Egyptian authorities, the ship set off on Sunday from the port of Ghalib near the port of Alam on a multi-day diving expedition. It is expected to arrive in the resort town of Hurghada, 200 kilometers to the north, on Friday.
Governor Amr Hanafi addresses disaster survivors.Image: trapezoid
There were 31 vacationers and 14 crew members from multiple countries on board, according to the governor's office. The yacht sent out a distress call early Monday morning. Governor Amr Hanafi announced that air operations and a warship had rescued 28 people. An in-depth search for the missing persons is currently underway.
Boating accidents happen
The Swiss representative office in Cairo is in contact with the relevant authorities and those affected. It is understood that these are all part of consular protection. The Swiss foreign ministry did not provide any further information.
Tourism contributes more than 10% of Egypt's GDP and employs 2 million people. The Red Sea is considered one of the country's top tourist destinations, attracting millions of tourists every year.
Even in winter, the climate in this North African country is pleasantly warm. For divers, the Red Sea offers some of the most spectacular dive sites in the world.
Every day, dozens of submersibles explore the reefs and islands off Egypt's east coast, where strict safety regulations vary. In early November, a diving boat sank near the famous Dedalus Reef and 30 people were rescued.
Last June, 20 French tourists were evacuated without injury before their boat sank in a similar incident. A year ago, three British tourists died when a fire destroyed their yacht.
But the Ocean Story, which was inspected in the spring and sank on Tuesday, was said to have no technical flaws, according to Governor Amr Hanafi. Tour providers are advertising the two-year-old motor yacht, which has cabins for more than 30 passengers, for multi-day diving excursions in the Red Sea. (Syrian Development Authority/Lynn)
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