Reports of two missing UK tourists as yacht sinks off coast of Egypt

Reports have surfaced of two missing UK tourists following the sinking of a yacht off the coast of Egypt, according to the Daily Record. The Foreign Office has confirmed that consular support is being extended to “a number of British nationals and their families” in connection with the incident involving the tourist yacht in the Red Sea near Egypt. Among the individuals aboard the boat, which was south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam, were four Britons, with two currently unaccounted for.

A total of 44 people were onboard the yacht when it sank, including individuals from various countries such as the United States, Germany, the UK, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain, and Ireland. So far, 28 individuals have been rescued, leaving 16 people still missing, including four Egyptians, according to an update from the governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafi, provided on Monday evening. Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individuals.

The incident reportedly occurred after an emergency call was made from the yacht in the early hours of Monday, just after it had set sail from Marsa Alam for a five-day sea voyage. Passengers recounted being struck by a “high sea wave,” leading to the vessel overturning within a matter of minutes. Some passengers were reportedly trapped in cabins, hindering their escape.

Warnings of rough seas in the Red Sea region had been issued by the Egyptian Meteorological Authority for Sunday and Monday, advising against maritime activities during that period. Dive Pro Liveaboard, the company operating the yacht, has indicated a lack of information regarding the incident. Rescue operations are being managed by the Egyptian military and the Red Sea Governorate, with armed forces aircraft deployed to the scene.

Marsa Alam, known for its appeal to tourists seeking diving holidays due to its proximity to large coral reef areas, has unfortunately seen tragedy in the past. Last year, three Britons lost their lives in a diving boat fire off the same coastline. Investigations into the yacht sinking are underway to determine the cause of the tragic incident.

In times of maritime disasters like this, the importance of safety measures and timely responses cannot be overstated. The hope is for a swift and successful rescue operation to bring all missing individuals to safety.

In summary, the article reports on the distressing situation involving the sinking of a yacht off the Egyptian coast, with two UK tourists missing as a result. The rescue efforts are underway following the tragic incident, highlighting the need for thorough safety precautions to prevent such incidents in the future.