Three bodies found in search for 16 missing people including 2 Brits after dive yacht sunk by a freak wave in Red Sea
The governor of the Red Sea has announced that three dead have been found after a dive boat was sunk by an unusual wave off the coast of Egypt.
Following the boating disaster, rescue crews have been looking for 16 persons they believe are still missing, with two British nationals reportedly missing.
Governor Amr Hanafi told Reuters today that three of the missing tourists had now been located by emergency personnel after search operations become more intense this morning.
The identities and nationalities of those discovered have not yet been made public.
Furthermore, the location of the bodies’ discovery is yet unknown.
Hanafi revealed that 13 additional people who were on board the luxury boat are still being sought by rescue personnel, which include the Navy, helicopters, and divers.
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On November 24, the 45-person Sea Story yacht sailed out of PortoGhalib Port for a multi-day diving excursion.
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.
According to authorities, no serious injuries have been reported, and 28 individuals have been rescued and taken to safety.
Hanafi disclosed that the visitors were stranded in their cabins as the tragic yacht sank in under five minutes.
Before the boat overturned, witnesses reported witnessing a “abnormally large” wave strike it.
The horrific five-minute catastrophe was disclosed by a professional diver who was on the water when the wave attacked the yacht.
They claimed that when everything began to go awry, I was on the surface. I attempted to cling to something solid as I sensed the boat tilting suddenly, but the capsizing happened very quickly.
“I heard screams from insidethe cabins, but many were unable to get out because the doors were closed and the place was filled with water.”
Another traveler, who was said to be British, added: The water was all around us and it was very dark.
I felt as though I was being suffocated by the strong current when I attempted to swim up.
“My life jacket kept me afloat until rescue personnel could reach me, which is what rescued me.
It is thought that many of the people who are still missing are skilled divers.
The boat’s most recent location was off Hurghada, according to the ship tracking website Marine Traffic.
According to local media, there were four Germans, two Spaniards, two Belgians, two Americans, one Irishman, and a Finn on board.
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 ZaaedNews, they are Ali Shaaban, Mohamed Mustafa, Mohamed Ibrahim, Ayman Foley, Ahmed Sayed Ali, Mohamed Mohamed Metwally, Ahmed Adel, and Ahmed Ramzy.
The nationalities of all of them are yet unknown.
Two Chinese nationals have already been deemed safe by the Chinese embassy in Egypt.
The UK Foreign Office said that “a number of British nationals and their families” are also receiving support.
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.
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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.
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