Russian Tourists Among Six Dead in Egypt Submarine Tragedy

• Most passengers were rescued and taken to hotels and hospitals.
• Local reports indicate that rescue teams saved 29 out of 45 passengers.
• In November, four individuals drowned and 33 were rescued following a diving boat incident.

On Thursday, six foreign nationals tragically lost their lives when a submarine carrying Russian tourists sank off the coast of Hurghada, a popular resort town on Egypt’s Red Sea. This news was confirmed by the local governor’s office to Reuters.

The Russian consulate in Hurghada reported that the submarine, named “Sindbad,” had a total of 45 Russian tourists aboard, in addition to its crew. While four fatalities were confirmed, it remains unclear if those who died were Russian nationals.

“The majority of those on board were successfully rescued and taken to their hotels and medical facilities in Hurghada,” the consulate noted, adding that the status of several tourists is still being assessed.

Local news outlets mentioned that rescue teams managed to save 29 out of the 45 passengers.

The Red Sea is famous for its vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life, making it a significant attraction within Egypt’s vital tourism sector, which increasingly relies on visitors from Russia.

This isn’t the first tragedy in the region; last November, four people drowned while 33 others were saved when a tourist diving boat capsized due to high waves. Additionally, another vessel sank in June due to storm damage, but fortunately, there were no casualties reported.

A United Nations report highlighted that in 2024, Egypt was the leading country in Africa for tourism revenues, generating $14.1 billion—more than double the income from the Suez Canal, emphasizing the importance of tourism in supporting the struggling economy.