A Briton who is still missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast has been named as a former scuba instructor from Devon.
Tarig Sinada, 49, was enjoying a reef safari holiday when the Sea Story went down at 5.30am local time Monday.
Some 44 people were onboard the vessel for the multi-day diving trip. There were 31 tourists, including four Britons, and 13 crew members on the yacht which sank within minutes after being struck by a large wave, according to witness statements via the Egyptian authorities.
Colin Sharratt, 65, and his partner, Sally Jones, 58, were among 28 people who survived the disastrous Monday evening after the boat capsized, despite four bodies being discovered the following day.
It was reported that two Britons were still missing.
On Thursday it emerged Mr Sinada was still missing and presumed drowned, an official source told the Daily Mail.
A spokesman for Mr Sidana’s employers told the publication: “We hope for his safe return, along with all other passengers.”
Mr Sinada, an IT consultant and astrophysics graduate of Imperial College, lives in Newton Abbot near Devon.
As well as mountain climbing and snowboarding, Mr Sinada – who works for a consultancy firm – has worked as a scuba instructor before.
Youssef Al-Faramawy, 23, was one of those who survived 30 hours in the water. Detailing his experience, he told the Daily Mail: “I heard screaming – then the boat capsized on its right side, and we couldn’t open the door because of the water pressure.
“In maybe five minutes, it sank, and I was shocked when water started filling the cabin. Just a small air pocket remained, about eight inches high. I was on the verge of falling into a coma, but tried to hold on. We couldn’t scream because we had no strength left. By then, we had surrendered.”
According to some reports, there is another Briton still missing.
Rescue operations are being co-ordinated by the Egyptian military and the Red Sea Governorate.
The UK Foreign Office said it is providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families and are in contact with the local authorities.
The Sea Story is the second boat to sink in the area this year. In June, a boat sank after it suffered severe damage from strong waves, the Environment Ministry said at the time. No casualties were reported.
