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Six individuals have died after a vacationer submarine operated by Sindbad sank within the Red Sea close to Hurghada, Egypt, at roughly 10:00 native time (08:00 GMT) on March 27. The explanation for the sinking stays unclear, however the incident has reignited issues over Egypt’s lax maritime security requirements, shoddy gear, and lack of efficient emergency response measures.
Egypt’s waters have been the positioning of quite a few maritime disasters lately, significantly among the many diving and tourism trade, the place security protocols are sometimes ignored, and gear upkeep is subpar. Past incidents, such because the 2022 sinking of the Carlton Queen dive boat and the 2021 fireplace aboard the diving vessel Heaven One, spotlight a troubling development in Egypt’s Red Sea tourism sector, the place security takes a again seat to revenue. Eleven individuals died in November, 2024 within the Sea Story incident when a dive boat sank and to today nobody is aware of the actual trigger or why the Egyptian Navy didn’t rescue individuals rapidly because the boat bobbed above the water for two days. We have a survivor story here.
In this newest incident, authorities confirmed that six Russian vacationers died, whereas 39 others had been rescued. The victims included a married couple who had been each medical doctors, with their two youngsters now recovering within the hospital.
What Went Wrong?
Survivors have given conflicting accounts of what precipitated the accident. One Russian vacationer, Ekaterina, informed Russian outlet Ren TV that as passengers had been boarding the submarine, water started pouring in as a result of two open hatches. She described it as if the vessel had fallen from its mooring, sending it plunging underwater earlier than anybody might react. Other studies recommend the submarine might have hit a reef at a depth of 20 meters, inflicting it to lose stress and tackle water quickly.
Compounding the catastrophe, the Sindbad firm—accountable for the vessel—has supplied little info. All upcoming submarine excursions have been canceled pending an investigation, however for a lot of, this response is just too little, too late. Critics argue that Egyptian authorities ought to have enforced stricter security protocols way back, stopping such tragedies from occurring within the first place.
Tourists who’ve beforehand taken Sindbad submarine excursions at the moment are talking out concerning the regarding lack of security protocols. British vacationer Roy Gillson, who was on a visit simply final week, admitted, “Looking again, we had no security drill by any means.” Another vacationer said {that a} recorded security briefing was performed, however there was no actual enforcement of emergency procedures.
One reviewer posting on TripAdvisor mentioned in October 2024: “‘They additionally ‘large up’ the {qualifications} of the captain. “But always bumping the sub on the ocean flooring isn’t good for the ocean life, sea flooring, my sanity of finally I’d say the sub!”
This aligns with broader points in Egypt’s diving and maritime tourism sector. I’ve interviewed about 10 individuals linked to the Sea Story tragedy and all confirmed lack of functioning security gear. Many operators in Egypt lower corners to maximise earnings, leading to poorly maintained vessels, insufficient crew coaching, and ineffective emergency response capabilities. Unlike in international locations with stringent maritime laws, Egypt lacks a devoted, well-equipped rescue infrastructure, leaving victims to depend on typically ill-prepared native assets when disasters strike.
Even happening a low-key boat journey may be harmful in Egypt. One reader sent us this story about boating with children.
Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation, however many worry will probably be yet one more superficial assessment with little actual influence. In earlier maritime accidents, accountability has been uncommon, and firms typically resume operations with minimal penalties.
As one survivor put it, “This might have been prevented. How many extra individuals need to die earlier than they take security critically?”
Egypt depends closely on tourism as a key sector of its financial system. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism contributed about 12% to Egypt’s GDP and was one of many nation’s largest sources of international foreign money. The trade additionally supplied jobs for round 10% of Egypt’s workforce, straight and not directly supporting thousands and thousands of individuals.
Tourism income fluctuates primarily based on international occasions, safety issues, and financial circumstances. In 2019, Egypt earned $13 billion from tourism, however the pandemic precipitated a pointy decline in 2020. However, the trade has been recovering, particularly with the rise in guests to historic websites just like the Pyramids, Luxor, and the Red Sea resorts.
To scale back dependence on tourism, Egypt has been investing in infrastructure, manufacturing, and its Suez Canal revenues. But the Houthi Yemeni terrorism has additionally taken a toll on Egypt’s transport routes on this regard. Some persons are turning to the Red Sea Islands in Saudi Arabia in its place however the costs there can’t match the affordability in Sinai and Egypt.
