A viewing submarine has sunk off the popular Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada on Thursday, March 27, killing six tourists and calling for the rescue of 39 foreign passengers, according to the Red Sea Governorate.
The incident happened aboard the ‘Sindbad’, a submarine carrying 45 tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, along with five Egyptian crew members. Authorities have confirmed that no passengers or crew remain missing.
The governorate reported that most survivors were safely evacuated and transported to hotels and hospitals in Hurghada. The Russian consulate corroborated the rescue efforts, noting the majority of those onboard were saved. The Sindbad, which was designed with large portholes to showcase the Red Sea’s vibrant corals and marine life, could dive to depths of 25 metres, according to the operating company’s website. Unlike the ill-fated submersible that imploded near the Titanic in 2023, this vessel catered to leisurely underwater tourism closer to the surface.
Egyptian authorities, led by Red Sea Province Governor Amr Hanafy, have launched an investigation into the sinking, interviewing crew members to determine its cause. The submarine and its captain were fully licensed, Hanafy confirmed. The incident marks another blow to Egypt’s tourism sector, one of the most important sectors of its economy, which generated $14.1 billion in 2024, outpacing Suez Canal earnings, according to a recent UN report.
The Red Sea, famed for its marine biodiversity, has seen a string of tourist boat mishaps. In November, a diving boat capsized, killing at least 11, and last month, another vessel overturned after maintenance. Despite past militant attacks, Egypt’s tourism industry remains a vital lifeline, drawing visitors to its pyramids, Nile cruises, and coastal resorts.
