17 missing after tourist yacht sinks in Red Sea amid rough seas

Yacht’s journey

The yacht, named Sea Story, had departed from Marsa Alam on a five-day trip. It was carrying 31 tourists of various nationalities and 14 crew members. The vessel, a wooden-hulled motor yacht built in 2022, reportedly had a capacity for 36 passengers.

Authorities received a distress call shortly before dawn, but the cause of the sinking remains unclear. However, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings on Saturday about severe weather in the Red Sea, advising against maritime activity on Sunday and Monday.

Rescue and investigation underway

The Egyptian military is coordinating rescue operations with local authorities, while the yacht’s operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard, has yet to provide further details. A company representative declined to comment, offering “no information” about the incident.

The incident increases ongoing concerns about maritime activity in the Red Sea, especially as many tourist companies have reduced operations in the region due to turbulent conditions and conflicts in neighboring areas.

Efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individuals, but officials warn that the challenging weather conditions may complicate rescue operations.

(With inputs from AP)

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