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Tourist submarine sinks off Egypt’s Red Sea coast; 6 dead | What we know so far
The deceased were all foreigners. About 19 people were injured in the incident.
At least six people died after a submarine carrying tourists sank off near the resort of Hurghada on Egypt's Red Sea coast, AFP reported, citing state media. About 19 people were injured in the incident.
According to the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper, the deceased were all foreigners. Investigations were underway to determine the cause behind the accident.
The local governor's office confirmed the incident with Reuters but did not confirm the nationalities of the victims.
However, the Russian consulate in Hurghada said the submarine, named "SINDBAD", had 45 Russian tourists on board besides crew members. It put the toll to four, but did not specify if they were Russian.
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"According to initial data, most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada," the consulate said.
The submarine was out on a regular tour to view coral reefs and had sailed off at around 10 am local time, reported the Associated Press. It sank when it was about 1 kilometre from the shore.
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According to local media reports, rescue teams had saved 29 of the 45 passengers aboard the submarine. Those rescued were taken to hospitals and are in a stable condition.
Hurghada is a bustling tourist city some 460 kilometres southeast of Cairo. The Red Sea, renowned for its coral reefs and marine life, is a major hub for Egypt's tourism industry.
In November, a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea after warnings of rough waters, according to AP, which cited Egyptian officials. At least four people drowned in the incident, while 33 were rescued.
The Sea Story tourist yacht had set off for a multi-day diving trip from the country's Port Ghalib.
