Fears 16 missing including 2 Brits were ‘trapped in cabins as yacht sank in just 5 minutes after freak wave’ off Egypt

According to the Red Sea governor, guests were stranded inside their cabins when a luxury boat overturned off the coast of Egypt and sank in barely five minutes.

Following a freak wave that apparently struck the Sea Story and forced it to tip onto its side before plummeting into the water, two British nationals are still thought to be among the 16 passengers missing.

On November 24, the 45-person yacht sailed out of Porto Ghalib Port for a multi-day diving expedition.

Before the boat abruptly vanished from radar and lost all communication, a crew member sent out a distress signal from the vessel at approximately 5:30 am local time.

Search efforts are ongoing in the frantic search for the remaining divers, and 28 people have been rescued thus far.

Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi said that he had spoken with witnesses to the terrible capsizing, and they all agreed that a “large wave” caused it to drown in a matter of minutes.

He went on: “According to the reports of both the Egyptian crew and foreigners, the catastrophe was initially caused by a big wave from the sea that struck the boat and caused it to capsize.

“The matter was sudden and fast, as it took about five or seven minutes, and some of the passengers were inside the cabins, which is the secret behind their inability to get out of the boat.”

According to Hanafi, several of the people who are still missing are thought to be skilled divers.

The Navy has been called in to assist in rescue efforts near Marsa Alam as part of the urgent search for the remaining missing individuals.

They have been joined by the General Command of the Armed Forces and the Armed Forces in search and rescue operations.

Despite Hurghada authorities closing the city’s port and operations on Sunday owing to “bad weather conditions,” the yacht remained on the water.

Before Sea Story left, Egyptian weather forecasts said the Red Sea might see waves as high as 10 to 13 feet.

How the tourist boat was allowed to sail in such a turbulent environment was unknown.

“A number of British nationals and their families” are receiving support, according to the UK Foreign Office.

Four Germans, two Spaniards, two Belgians, two Americans, one Irishman, and a Finn were also on board, according to local media.

China, Slovakia, Switzerland, Poland, Norway, Finland, and Egypt were among the other countries represented on the tour.

So far, eight survivors have been identified.

According to Zaaed News, they are Ali Shaaban, Mohamed Mustafa, Ahmed Ramzy, Mohamed Ibrahim, Ayman Foley, Ahmed Sayed Ali, Mohamed Mohamed Metwally, Ahmed Adel, and Mohamed Mohamed.

The nationalities they belong to are still unknown.

Two Chinese nationals were deemed safe yesterday by the Chinese embassy in Egypt.

Sea Story is a 144-foot leisure boat that can accommodate up to 32 persons. It was built in 2022.

It is estimated that passengers spent $1,000 for a seven-night stay aboard the opulent vessel.

The ship, which has eighteen twin accommodations, offers diving excursions for visitors to explore Red Sea reefs and wrecks.

According to the Foreign Office, “a number of British nationals and their families” are receiving assistance.

Egypt’s tourism sector depends heavily on the Red Sea, a well-liked diving destination known for its coral reefs and marine life.

Last June, a scuba diving boat named Hurricane caught fire off the coast of Marsa Alam, killing three British tourists and saving twelve others.

The ship had sailed to the Elphinstone Reef diving location, and after 12 additional divers and 14 crew members, including the captain, abandoned it, they were rescued.