Live Reporting
Edited by Tinshui Yeung and Jamie Whitehead, with Sally Nabil reporting from Egypt
Five survivors found today as rescue efforts continuepublished at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
17:06 GMT 26 November
Five people have been rescued and four bodies recovered today after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea on Monday.
The Egyptian Armed Forces are still searching for the seven people missing, including two Britons.
The boat, named the Sea Story, departed from a port near Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving trip with 44 people on board.
The Red Sea governorate stated a “high sea wave” hit the boat, causing it to capsize in just five to seven minutes. They also said the boat passed its safety inspection in March 2024 with no technical issues reported.
Besides the loss of life, there are concerns about the impact this incident might have on the country's vital tourism industry.
We're wrapping up our live coverage for now, but we'll bring you more updates as soon as we have them.
How do typical safety rafts work?published at 16:49 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
16:49 GMT 26 November
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Sea Story was equipped with two safety rafts, each capable of holding 25 people, according to its operator.
We don't yet know if these were deployed or if people are on them, but here's how they typically work:
- Life rafts are typically inflatable and neatly packed away
- Their location can vary, but it's generally recommended to place them somewhere easily accessible
- Usually, once you take them out, you pull a cord that releases gas and inflates them in seconds
- People then climb aboard and wait to be rescued
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, a regulatory body, also states that all life rafts should have life-saving rations on board.
Incident echoes tragedy in June 2023published at 16:42 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
16:42 GMT 26 November
This isn't the first fatal incident with a diving boat off Egypt's Red Sea coast.
There was a similar event last year when three British tourists died after a scuba diving boat caught fire.
The tourists were part of a group of 15 qualified divers, and 12 managed to evacuate the vessel, named Hurricane.
All 13 crew members also survived.
Tourism plays an important role in Egyptpublished at 16:24 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
16:24 GMT 26 November
Imogen James
Live reporterImage source, ReutersEgypt's Red Sea coast attracts thousands of tourists each year, as it's a well known diving spot for its clear waters and rich marine life.
Many diving companies suggest November as a good time to visit, with temperatures cooling down from the summer heat.
However, as we've been reporting, there are concerns this incident could impact the crucial tourism industry.
The Sea Story was the second boat to sink in the area this year. Another vessel was severely damaged by strong waves in June, though thankfully, no casualties were reported.
Could this lead to a lack of trust?
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, one in 12 jobs in Egypt is supported by tourism.
While much of Egypt's tourism focuses on landmarks, large resorts, and history, not just diving, if this incident puts tourists off, it could still affect livelihoods.
Here's what we know so farpublished at 15:52 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
15:52 GMT 26 November
Image source, REX/ShutterstockWe are still waiting to hear further updates on the seven people still missing, including two Britons.
Here is what we know so far:
- Five people have been found alive today, a day after a tourist boat capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast on Monday
- Four bodies have been recovered during the search effort, and 33 people have been rescued. Some of those rescued are staying in Marsa Alam while authorities work with embassies to provide support
- The boat, the Sea Story, capsized while carrying tourists and crew on a five-day diving trip
- It sank in about “five or seven” minutes after being struck by a “high sea wave,” according to the governor of the Red Sea region
- The strongest average wind speed in the hour or two around 05:30 local time (03:30 GMT) was about 18mph in Marsa Alam and 21mph at Hurghada
Some rescued people are staying in Marsa Alampublished at 15:20 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
15:20 GMT 26 November
Image source, Getty ImagesAs we've been reporting, the Sea Story departed from a port near Marsa Alam on Sunday.
This is also where the 28 people rescued on Monday are currently staying, as authorities work with embassies to provide assistance and documentation.
Marsa Alam is a resort town in Egypt, located on the Red Sea coast and around 740km from Cairo. It’s a small town with a population of around 10,000.
The town is one of Egypt’s top tourist destinations, known for its diving sites and sandy beaches. It also features some of the country’s most unspoilt reefs along a 50km shoreline.
What do we know about the boat?published at 14:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
14:50 GMT 26 November
Image source, Getty ImagesThe operator's website, external says the vessel, named Sea Story, was built in 2022 and measures 44m (144ft) in length.
It has four decks and 18 cabins, accommodating up to 36 passengers.
There are eight cabins below deck, four on the main deck, two on the top deck, and four honeymoon suites.
The Red Sea governorate said the boat passed its last safety inspection in March 2024 with no technical issues reported, and it received a one-year validity certificate.
On board, there are various communication systems, including radar and VHF radio. There's also a lounge and bar.
The provincial governor says it is owned by an Egyptian national.
Fifth person found alive todaypublished at 14:28 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
14:28 GMT 26 NovemberBreaking
Another person, a Finnish national, has been found alive during rescue efforts on Egypt's Red Sea coast, bringing the total number of people rescued to 33, according to the Red Sea Governor.
Wind gusts may have reached 37mphpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
14:11 GMT 26 November
John Hutchinson
BBC WeatherIn the hour or two around 05:30 local time (03:30 GMT) , the strongest average wind speed in Marsa Alam was about 18mph, and at Hurghada, it was 21mph. The wind direction at these coastal stations varied between N and W, and it is likely that stronger winds were recorded out at sea.
Unfortunately, we have no information on gusts. Given the above, the 37-43mph wind gusts seem reasonable, but we have no way of knowing what the gusts at sea actually were.
We also have no information easily available on wave heights, but large waves were forecast.
The general setup was a north-northwesterly airflow moving down the Red Sea.
How the capsizing and rescue operation has unfoldedpublished at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
13:56 GMT 26 November
Tinshui Yeung
Live page editorImage source, Getty ImagesAs we continue to bringyou updates from Egypt after the Sea Story tourist yacht capsized, let's take alook at the timeline of events which led us to this point:
- Sunday 24 November 2024 Sea Story departed Port Ghalib near Marsa Alam for a five-day trip, due back at Hurghada Marina on 29 November
- Monday 03:30 GMT (05:30 local time) The boat, with 44 people on board, including 13 crew members, sent a distress signal to the Red Sea Governorate Control Centre
- Monday 08:07 GMT Thegovernor of the Red Sea announces "intense efforts to search for missingpeople in the incident". Authorities suggest a high sea wave had struckthe vessel, causing it to capsize within five to seven minutes
- Monday 11:28 GMT Authoritiesannounce 28 people have been rescued
- Tuesday 12:01 GMT TheRed Sea governor says that three people have been found alive, and another fourbodies have been recovered, this means nine are still missing at this point
- Tuesday 13:22 GMT The governorof the Red Sea announces one more person – a Swiss national – has been found alive
Stay with us and we'll continue to bring you updates from the search and rescue operation.
Another person found alivepublished at 13:36 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
13:36 GMT 26 NovemberBreaking
Sally Nabil
BBC Arabic correspondent, reporting from EgyptOne more person has been found alive as rescue and search operations continue in the Red Sea.
A Swiss national was rescued, according to the governor of the Red Sea.
Earlier in the day, three people have been found alive (two Belgians and an Egyptian), while four bodies have been recovered.
The number of survivors now rises to 32.
In pictures: The search mission continuespublished at 13:21 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
13:21 GMT 26 November
The Egyptian Armed Forces are continuing to search the Red Sea for the nine people who are still missing.
As we reported earlier, the Red Sea governor gave an update saying:
- 35 people has been taken out of the water during the search and rescue mission
- 31 of those were alive, and four dead bodies were recovered
Image source, Egyptian Armed ForcesImage source, Egyptian Armed ForcesImage source, Egyptian Armed ForcesEgyptian authorities cautious about statements which might bring economic damagepublished at 12:54 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
12:54 GMT 26 November
Sally Nabil
BBC Arabic correspondent, reporting from EgyptImage source, Getty ImagesWhile rescue and search operations continue in the Red Sea totry and find those missing, people here in Hurghada, a famous touristdestination, are worried about their livelihoods.
Such a tragic incident could have serious repercussions on thetourism industry, a lifeline to an ailing Egyptian economy.
They are worried tourists might get discouraged to go on divingtrips, a popular activity here.
Winter is a busy season for Egyptian Red Sea resorts, known fortheir sunny weather, clear waters and magnificent coral reefs and many Europeantourists come here to dive.
When a boat, carrying more than 30 tourists, sinks off the coastof a resort like Marsa Alam, you’d expect continuous news updates about therescue and search operations.
But the Egyptian authorities usually tread very cautiously whenreleasing public statements regarding an incident, that might bring abouteconomic damage - the last thing Egypt needs at the moment.
This could be partly why officials prefer to give broad lines,rather than go into specific details.
Besides, it’s the army incharge here. The navy has been taking the lead in the rescue operations, sothat would mean an extra level of caution.
Irish national on board is 'OK' - foreign affairs ministerpublished at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
12:41 GMT 26 November
The Irish national who was on the tourist boat that sank in the Red Sea near Egypt is "OK", Ireland's foreign affairs minister Micheál Martin says.
Martin provided this update to reporters in Dublin this morning."My understanding is that Irish citizen is OK and receiving consular assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs," he says.
Thirty-one people have been rescuedpublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
12:29 GMT 26 November
According to the Red Sea governor, 31 people have been rescued so far.
Four dead bodies have been recovered from the water, and nine people are still missing.
Struggling to contact the company that operates Sea Storypublished at 12:21 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
12:21 GMT 26 November
Caroline Hawley
Diplomatic correspondentI’ve had no luck reaching the company that operates the Sea Story – Dive Pro Liveaboard.
According to their website the four-deck yacht – which is 44 metres long - was built in 2022 and has 18 twin cabins with en suite bathrooms, as well as a separate restaurant.
The Egyptian authorities say 44 people were on board when it capsized yesterday morning, after warnings about bad weather.
The governor of the Red Sea area, Amr Hanafi, said some were unable to escape from their cabins.
So far, survivors have not been speaking publicly.
No update from Foreign Office on British nationals on boardpublished at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
12:16 GMT 26 November
Caroline Hawley
Diplomatic correspondentThere’s been no further update from the Foreign Office on the British nationals who were on board the Sea Story.
But I understand that the two who were among the 28 people rescued yesterday are safe and well.
Two others are still missing, as the search and rescue operation continues.
Three found alive and four bodies recoveredpublished at 12:06 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
12:06 GMT 26 NovemberBreaking
Sally Nabil
BBC Arabic correspondent, reporting from EgyptThree people - two Belgians and an Egyptian - have been found alive while four bodies have been recovered, the governor of the Red Sea has announced.
Egypt's tourism may be impactedpublished at 11:50 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
11:50 GMT 26 November
Sally Nabil
BBC Arabic correspondent, reporting from EgyptTrips like the one the boat had are very popular in the Red Sea.
This particular trip set sail from Marsa Alam and was meant toend here in Hurghada, where I am.
It was supposed to last five days, but after just a few hours, adistress call was issued, asking for emergency assistance.
The Red Sea area is a favourite destination for Europeantourists, especially for diving, enjoying the clear waters, warm weather, andcolourful coral reefs.
This incident might have a negative impact on the tourismindustry in this country, which is a lifeline for the Egyptian economy, alreadyin a difficult situation.
After this incident, we’reunsure if tourists will be put off, but those working in the industry arecertainly worried about their livelihoods.
Why we don't know much right nowpublished at 11:40 Greenwich Mean Time 26 November
11:40 GMT 26 November
Sally Nabil
BBC Arabic correspondent, reporting from EgyptImage source, EPA-EFE/REX/ShutterstockGenerally speaking, the information is being given out verycarefully by the authorities.
Firstly, because it is the army who is in charge of the rescueoperation, and they are usually very cautious when it comes to releasinginformation or public statements.
Secondly, this incident has a very negative effect on thetourism industry in Egypt, especially here on the Red Sea shores, and this isthe high season for this area of the country.
This is why the authorities are treading very carefully when itcomes to reporting on this incident.
What we understand so far is that the rescue and searchoperations are still ongoing.
It’s the navy who’s taking the lead here; they have dispatchedships and a couple of helicopters.
The survivors are understood to be in good condition. They onlyhave bruises and very minor wounds.
As far as we know, the searchoperation has not been concluded yet, and whether or not they will be able tofind anybody remains to be seen.
