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 connected a five-day trip. It was carrying 31 tourists of assorted nationalities and 14 unit members. The vessel, a wooden-hulled centrifugal yacht built successful 2022, reportedly had a capableness for 36 passengers.

Authorities received a distress telephone soon earlier dawn, but the origin of the sinking remains unclear. However, the Egyptian Meteorological Authority had issued warnings connected Saturday astir terrible upwind successful the Red Sea, advising against maritime enactment connected Sunday and Monday.

Rescue and probe underway

The Egyptian subject is coordinating rescue operations with section authorities, portion the yacht’s operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard, has yet to supply further details. A institution typical declined to comment, offering “no information” astir the incident.

The incidental increases ongoing concerns astir maritime enactment successful the Red Sea, particularly arsenic galore tourer companies person reduced operations successful the portion owed to turbulent conditions and conflicts successful neighboring areas.

Efforts are ongoing to find the missing individuals, but officials pass that the challenging upwind conditions whitethorn complicate rescue operations.

(With inputs from AP)