Egyptian naval forces rescued five more individuals on Tuesday and recovered four bodies following the sinking of a tourist yacht near the Red Sea town of Marsa Alam. The incident, which occurred during rough weather, has left seven people still missing.
The yacht Sea Story, carrying 44 passengers, capsized after being struck by a large wave on Monday. Survivors reported that the boat overturned within minutes, trapping some passengers in their cabins.
A total of 33 people have now been rescued, with 28 saved on the day of the incident and five more recovered Tuesday. The latest survivors include two Belgians, a Swiss citizen, a Finn, and an Egyptian, according to Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy. The identities of the four recovered bodies have not yet been confirmed.
The boat’s passengers comprised 13 Egyptians, including crew, and 31 foreign nationals from countries such as the United States, Germany, the UK, Poland, Switzerland, and China. German authorities reported three of their citizens are still missing, while Poland confirmed two missing nationals.
Sea Story, a live-aboard vessel launched in 2022, departed from Port Ghalib on Sunday for a diving excursion and was scheduled to arrive in Hurghada five days later. The yacht sank approximately 46 nautical miles from Marsa Alam. Officials stated the boat had no technical issues, possessed all necessary permits, and passed safety checks in March.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings of high waves and turbulent conditions over the weekend, advising against naval activity on Sunday and Monday.
Marsa Alam is a popular diving destination, known for its marine biodiversity and challenging dive sites, which attract enthusiasts worldwide. The Egyptian military continues to coordinate ongoing rescue efforts.