At least 17 people are missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea following warnings about rough seas, Egyptian officials said Monday. The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, stated that rescuers managed to save 28 individuals from the vessel located south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, with some being airlifted for medical treatment. On board the yacht were 31 tourists of various nationalities and 14 crew members.
The distress call from the yacht was reported shortly before dawn on Monday, prompting rescue efforts. The yacht had departed from Marsa Alam for a five-day journey. The cause of the sinking of the four-deck, wooden-hulled motor yacht remains unclear. However, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings about turbulence and high waves in the Red Sea, advising against maritime activities for Sunday and Monday.
The company operating the yacht, Dive Pro Liveaboard in Hurghada, Egypt, did not provide any information when contacted by The Associated Press. According to their website, the Sea Story yacht, built in 2022, has a capacity of 36 passengers.
The Egyptian military is working in coordination with the governorate to conduct rescue operations. Many tourist companies have either halted or restricted travel on the Red Sea due to the risks posed by conflicts in the region.
