17 missing after tourist yacht sinks in Red Sea
A minimum of 17 people are missing following the sinking of a tourist yacht in the Red Sea, Egyptian officials said on November 25th according to Africa News and agencies. The events follow warnings about rough seas.
Amr Hanafy, who governs the Red Sea region, said 28 people were saved from the vessel south of Marsa Alam, a coastal town, and some were airlifted to received medical treatment.
Hanafy said that 31 tourists of various nationalities were on board with a crew of 14. The UK’s foreign office said it was providing “a number of British nationals and their families” consular support following the sinking, with reports that British citizens were among the missing.
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The governate received a report shortly before dawn on November 25th of a distress call made from the yacht, which had recently left Marsa Alam to embark on a five-da journey.
The reason for the sinking was not immediately clear, but the Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned on November 23rd about turbulence and high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity for November 24th and 25th.
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AP was told by a person answering the phone at the company that operates the yacht, Dive Pro Liveaboard in Hurghada, Egypt, that they have “no information” and hung up.
Their website says the Sea Story can hold 36 passengers and was built two years ago.
Africa News
