Egypt: 17 foreign tourists missing as luxury yacht capsizes off Red Sea coast | World news

Egyptian officials said on Monday that 17 people, including foreigners from several countries, were missing after a tourist yacht capsized off the country’s Red Sea coast, AFP news agency reported.

The tourist yacht Sea Story left Port Ghalib in the country on Sunday for a multi-day diving trip and was expected to return to shore in Hurghada on Friday.

Rescuers managed to rescue 28 people by plane, while others were taken to safety on board a warship.

“Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the Navy and the Armed Forces,” Governor Amr Hanafi said. The Egyptian army is actively involved in the search for the missing tourists.

Officials did not mention the cause of the accident or the nationality of the missing foreign tourists. Dive Pro Liveaboard, owner of Sea Story, has not yet provided any additional information.

Egypt’s meteorological agency had warned of turbulent sea conditions and advised against maritime activities on Sunday and Monday. According to an AP report, Sea Story began its journey despite the advice.

The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, a country of 105 million in the grip of a severe economic crisis. At a national level, the tourism sector employs two million people and generates more than 10 percent of GDP.

Dozens of boats sail for tourists to witness the country’s coral reefs on the east coast. The country has robust safety regulations, but enforcement remains patchy.

The Marsa Alam region saw two similar accidents earlier this year, but without any fatalities. Earlier this month, thirty people were rescued from a sinking submarine near the famous Daedalus Reef in the Red Sea.

In June, 20 French tourists were safely evacuated before their boat sank in a similar accident.

Last year, three British tourists died after a fire broke out on their yacht, causing their ship to go up in flames.