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Five people have been found alive a day after a tourist boat capsized in the Red Sea, Egypt's local governor said. Four bodies have also been recovered from the capsized tourist boat.
There were 44 people on the Sea Story for a diving trip when it sank - 33 have been rescued and seven are still missing, including two Britons.
Provincial governor Amr Hanafi said rescue teams had found five people alive, two Belgian tourists, one Swiss, one Finn and an Egyptian, bringing the total number of survivors to 33.
The boat, the Sea Story, capsized on Monday near the Sataya Reef while carrying 31 tourists and 13 crew on a multi-day diving trip. It was struck by high waves and sank in five to seven minutes. It had left port for a 5-day trip.
Twenty-eight people were rescued with minor injuries. They are staying in a hotel in Marsa Alam, where authorities are working with embassies to provide assistance and documentation.
Mr. Hanafi said the boat had passed its last safety inspection in March with no technical issues reported. Owned by an Egyptian national, the vessel was 34 meters long and had received a one-year safety certificate from the Maritime Safety Authority.
The incident occurred during rough weather conditions. The Egyptian Red Sea Ports Authority reported wave heights of 3-4 meters (10-13 feet) and wind speeds of 34 knots in the area on Sunday, leading to the closure of maritime traffic.
Besides the loss of life, there are concerns about the impact this incident might have on the country's vital tourism industry.
The Red Sea, renowned for its coral reefs and marine life, is a major hub for Egypt’s tourism industry, which plays a critical role in the country’s economy.
