A submarine carrying Russian tourists sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast on Thursday, resulting in at least four confirmed deaths, according to the Russian Embassy in Egypt and local news reports.
The vessel was reportedly carrying approximately 45 individuals on a tour near Hurghada, a well-known resort located nearly 300 miles southeast of Cairo.
The embassy confirmed the fatalities in a statement shared on social media, noting that all tourists aboard were Russian nationals.
Local news sources indicated that the death toll could be as high as six, although these figures have not been independently verified. Additionally, nine individuals sustained injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital, while rescue workers successfully retrieved 29 people from the water.
Egypt has experienced previous incidents involving tourist boats. In November, four individuals lost their lives when a boat carrying 44 passengers sank during a diving trip from Marsa Alam, another resort on the Red Sea, which was intended to conclude in Hurghada.
Commercial submarines are a popular attraction among tour operators in the region, offering tourists the opportunity to explore coral reefs.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.