All 44 passengers on board the Sindbad Submarines vessel were Russian, the country’s embassy in Cairo told the BBC. The vessel, which is said to dive 25 metres deep to examine coral reef and marine life, is understood to have sunk shortly after leaving the shore.
The latest incident raises more issues about the safety of tourist vessels in the Red Sea area. In November, a dive boat – the Sea Story – sank off Marsa Alam, with 11 deaths.
The Foreign Office in February issued a safety warning about accidents involving liveaboard dive vessels following advice from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
It said: “Over the last five years, 16 accidents have occurred involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea. Three liveaboard dive boats have been lost in the last 21 months that resulted in numerous deaths, including some UK nationals.”
It has urged customers to book through reputable vendors “who can provide assurance about the safety standards” and to request a safety briefing before departure.
