6 dead as tourist submarine sinks off Egypt’s coast

Cairo, Mar 28: A tourist submarine taking dozens of people, mainly Russians, to see the Red Sea’s coral reefs sank off the Egyptian resort town of Hurghada, leaving six people dead and others injured, two municipal officials said Thursday.

Emergency crews were able to rescue at least 38 Russians, the Russian consul in Hurghada told the country’s state news agency RIA Novosti. The report said 14 of them were hospitalised and the rest returned to their hotel.

Russian and Egyptian officials did not immediately say what caused the submarine to sink.

Russia’s Tass news agency said five Russians were confirmed dead, including two children. The two Egyptian municipal officials said the total toll was six, but the nationality of the sixth was not immediately known. The officials spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media.

Russia’s consulate in Hurghada said in a statement that 45 Russians were on board the submarine, “Sindbad,” which operated from a hotel of the same name. It was not immediately known how many crewmembers or other tourists were on board, but the submarine has a capacity of 50 people.

Hurghada is a major destination for divers, snorkelers and other tourists drawn by the extensive coral reefs in Red Sea. Several outlets offer tours in submarines with large windows in the bottom to allow groups to view the reefs and marine life, usually cruising at around 20 metres in depth.

In November, a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea after warnings of rough waters, Egyptian officials said. At least four people drowned, while 33 were rescued.

Tourism is an important sector of Egypt’s economy but many tourist companies have stopped or limited travelling on the Red Sea due to the dangers from conflicts in the region. (AP)

Hot this week

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

4 injured in clash in Nagaland

Kohima, Mar 31: At least four persons were injured...

Eid celebrated with religious fervour in Nagaland

Kohima, Mar 31: Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour...

Six drug traffickers, 4 poppy cultivators arrested in Manipur

Imphal, Mar 31: Six alleged drug traffickers and four...

Kerala Minister Sivankutty urges ASHA workers to send their cut hair to Centre

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 31: Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on...

Gas cylinder blast triggers fire at market in Varanasi; no one injured

Varanasi, Mar 31: A gas cylinder explosion triggered...

Fr Bernard Laloo new Auxiliary Bishop of Shillong Archdiocese

Shillong, Mar 31: Father Bernard Laloo was officially ordained...

Bodofa Upendra Nath Brahma: The Visionary Leader Who Redefined Bodo Identity

By Dipak Kurmi Upendra Nath Brahma, fondly remembered as "Thopen"...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img