Tragic Submarine Disaster in Egypt Claims Lives
In a heartbreaking incident off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt, a tourist submarine known as the Sindbad has tragically sunk, resulting in the loss of six lives and leaving five individuals trapped inside. On Thursday, the vessel sank in the Red Sea, prompting a swift response that managed to rescue 39 passengers. Eyewitness reports indicate that the submarine, which was carrying a group of sightseers, began to take on water under unexplained circumstances.
The victims include a couple of Russian doctors, with their two daughters currently hospitalized. Reports from Russian media confirm that two children were among those who perished in the disaster. The local governor, Amr Hanafy, stated that nine individuals sustained injuries, with four of them in critical condition.
Egyptian authorities have begun questioning the crew members as investigations into the incident unfold. Governor Hanafy confirmed that the Sindbad had all necessary licenses and that the crew possessed the requisite certifications to operate the vessel. However, many questions remain regarding the sequence of events that led to the submarine’s sudden descent.
Survivor Elena Boldareva recounted the terrifying moments as the submarine submerged with its hatches still open, allowing water to flood in rapidly. Many passengers managed to escape through the open hatches, while others were not as fortunate. The Sindbad, known for offering tourists a glimpse of the stunning coral reefs beneath the waves, had been in operation for several years.
On the ill-fated journey, which cost approximately £68, the submarine was reportedly diving to view a coral reef located 70 feet beneath the surface. Elena, who was aboard with her husband, stated, “Some managed to swim out, while others didn’t.” Tragically, her daughters and mother were among those injured, and they were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
The first victims identified were Ravil Valiullin, 40, an anaesthetist, and his wife Kristina, 39, a pediatrician. Initial reports indicated that Kristina had also been lost, but Russian authorities later confirmed she survived and was reunited with her daughters, aged 10 and 15, in the hospital. Ravil was employed at the Urussu Central Regional Hospital in Tatarstan, Russia.
The submarine was carrying a total of 45 tourists at the time of the incident, the majority being Russian nationals, along with visitors from India, Norway, and Sweden. Additionally, five Egyptians were part of the crew. The passengers were guests of the Biblio Globus travel company, which operates tours from the Sindbad Hotel in Hurghada.
Of the 39 rescued individuals, 29 were pulled from the water, while nine sustained injuries. The injured passengers have been transported to local hospitals for care, and the Russian embassy in Cairo has confirmed that their nationals were involved in the tragedy. A statement from the embassy indicated, “On March 27, at around 10:00, the Sindbad submarine, owned by the hotel of the same name, sank 1 kilometer off the coast. There were 45 tourists on board, including minors. Most of them have been rescued and are receiving assistance.”
Near-Miss: A Brit’s Brush with Disaster
A British tourist, Kelly Collins, 32, experienced a close call just three days prior to the submarine disaster. She descended 85 feet beneath the surface of the Red Sea on the Sindbad submarine on Monday, narrowly escaping the tragedy that unfolded later that week. Expressing her shock, she stated, “I’m saddened and in disbelief to hear the news about the poor people on the submarine. I think this has put me off submarines for good.”
Kelly described her trip as lasting approximately 40 minutes, which included a 30-minute journey to and from shore. Another British tourist, Tom McDowell, 63, who traveled on the submarine with his daughter last year, shared his feelings upon hearing the news. “I was nervous at the thought of getting into the submarine, but I felt at ease as everything seemed very professional,” he said. “My heart goes out to the victims of this tragedy.” The Russian embassy has confirmed the fatalities involved their citizens, further deepening the impact of this devastating event.
