CAIRO — Egyptian authorities have rescued three additional individuals, bringing the total number of survivors to 31, after a tourist boat sank on Monday off the southeastern coast near Marsa Alam. The survivors include two Belgian nationals and an Egyptian, according to Amr Hanafy, the regional governor.
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Search and Recovery Efforts
Authorities have recovered four bodies from the sea, though their identities have not been publicly disclosed.
The boat, named Sea Story, was carrying 44 people when it capsized. As of Tuesday, rescue teams continue to search for nine missing individuals, including two British nationals, a diplomatic source told ABC News.
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Collaborative Efforts with International Authorities
Egyptian authorities are coordinating with foreign embassies and consulates to provide necessary assistance and documentation for those affected.
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo stated it was unaware of any U.S. citizen fatalities in the incident.
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Cause of the Incident
Governor Hanafy attributed the sinking of the 34-meter vessel to strong waves, which caused the boat to capsize within minutes.
“The boat had no technical issues and passed its last safety inspection in March,” Hanafy stated. The vessel, owned by an Egyptian national, was reportedly in sound condition.
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Timeline of Events
- The Sea Story departed from Ghalib Port in Marsa Alam on Sunday for a diving trip.
- It was scheduled to arrive at Hurghada Marina on Friday.
- A distress signal was sent at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, moments before the vessel vanished from radar.
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Popular Tourist Destination
The incident occurred near the Shaab Satayah area, a site renowned for its coral reefs and diving spots. Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, including Marsa Alam, are highly popular with tourists seeking scenic beaches and underwater adventures.