17 Missing After Tourist Yacht Capsizes Off Egypt's Red Sea Coast

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Egyptian authorities confirmed on Monday that 17 people, including foreign nationals, were missing after a tourist yacht capsized off the Red Sea coast. The incident involved the vessel, named Sea Story, which was carrying 31 tourists from various countries along with a 14-member crew. The yacht issued a distress call early in the morning at 5:30 AM (0330 GMT) as it sank. The tourists aboard the yacht included nationals from the United Kingdom, China, Finland, Poland, and Spain. The Sea Story had embarked on a multi-day diving trip from Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam on Sunday and was scheduled to dock in Hurghada on Friday.

Governor Amr Hanafi reported that some survivors were rescued by an aircraft, while others were brought to safety aboard a warship. "Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the navy and the armed forces," Hanafi added. Chinese authorities confirmed that two of their nationals were rescued and in good health, while the Finnish foreign ministry reported that one of its citizens remains missing. The Polish foreign ministry mentioned that two tourists may have had Polish citizenship, though details remain scarce. The yacht capsized after being struck by a wave in the night, according to a surviving crew member. While bad weather conditions had led to the shutdown of marine activities and the city’s port in Hurghada on Sunday, the weather around Marsa Alam had been favorable until later in the evening, calming by morning.

By Monday afternoon, rescue efforts were beginning to look less promising, with authorities expressing doubt that the 17 missing individuals would be found alive after spending 12 hours in the water. The Red Sea coast, a major tourist hub, has seen similar accidents in the past, though no fatalities had been reported until now. Egypt's tourism sector, a vital part of the country's economy, employs millions and generates a significant portion of GDP. Despite robust safety regulations, the enforcement of these rules has often been uneven.