Five Spanish tourists rescued after ship sinks in Red Sea
Five Spanish tourists traveling on an Egyptian ferry have been rescued Following a shipwreck in the coastal area of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea. In total, 44 people were aboard, Three bodies have been recovered And 13 people are still missing.
The Spaniards are “out of danger”, according to Egyptian officials, although no further details have been released about their condition.
Among the tourists on board the boat were four German nationals, two Belgians, one Chinese, two Americans, three Slovaks, two Swiss, four British, two Poles, four Egyptians, two Norwegians, one Irish and one Finn. In addition, there were also 14 Egyptian contingents.
a wave hits the ship
Amro Hanafi, governor of the Red Sea province, has said that, according to descriptions by tourists and the Egyptian crew, the accident “was caused by A large ocean wave hits the boat and capsizes it suddenly and rapidlyIn about 5 or 7 minutes”, while “some passengers were inside the cabin, that is why they did not manage to leave the ship.”
However, authorities are still investigating to clarify the cause of the accident involving the 34 meter long and 9.5 meter wide boat, which sank in the Al Ghadeer area, about 740 kilometers southeast of Cairo.
“The last inspection of the ship by maritime security was carried out in March 2024 and a certificate of validity for one year was obtained, with no observations or technical defects regarding the boat,” Hanafi said.
Search for missing people continues
A frigate and military aircraft are conducting search operations in the area To locate the missing.
“The general command of the armed forces was handed over to the naval forces dispatching several warships and search and rescue aircraft“, the military said in a statement, in which it said it began rescue efforts “as soon as it received reports of distress” after the ferry Sea Story sank in the Red Sea.
According to the note, members of the armed forces and divers took part in the rescue operations despite “poor” weather conditions. The military notes that a cruise ship that was in the area of the sinking was able to provide medical care to survivors, while “cases requiring immediate medical attention were transferred to hospitals near the accident site.” Was done,” without providing further. Description.
Hanafi had earlier said in another statement that “A few survivors” were rescued by special teams.In cooperation with the Egyptian armed and naval forces.
“The search and rescue helicopter was able to get some survivors the necessary medical care, while the remaining survivors were kept safe until the arrival of the Al Fateh frigate, which took them to safety.” Added.