Tragedy Strikes Red Sea: 6 Dead as Tourist Submarine Sinks Off Egypt’s Hurghada Coast in March 2025
HURGHADA, EGYPT – March 27, 2025 – A devastating incident unfolded early Thursday morning when a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, a popular Red Sea resort city in Egypt, claiming the lives of at least six people and injuring nine others. The vessel, identified as the Sindbad, was carrying 44 passengers—predominantly Russian tourists, including children—on a scenic underwater tour to explore the region’s famed coral reefs and tropical fish. The sinking, which occurred just 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from shore, has sent shockwaves through Egypt’s tourism industry and raised urgent questions about maritime safety in one of the world’s top diving destinations.
The disaster struck around 10:00 a.m. local time (7:00 a.m. UTC), near the marina of a prominent hotel in Hurghada, though authorities have yet to officially name the property. According to the Russian Embassy in Cairo, all passengers aboard were Russian nationals. The embassy confirmed that four of the deceased were Russian citizens, with the identities of the other two victims still under clarification as of early Thursday. Emergency response teams, including the Red Sea Security Directorate and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority, sprang into action, rescuing 29 survivors. Of the nine injured, four are in critical condition, battling for their lives in local hospitals after 21 ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
The Sindbad, operated by Sindbad Submarines—a company advertising “unforgettable” underwater experiences—had been a fixture in Hurghada for years, offering three-hour tours plunging to depths of 25 meters (72 feet). Priced at £68 per adult and £35 per child, the excursions promised air-conditioned comfort and panoramic views of the Red Sea’s vibrant marine life through large viewing windows. The vessel, designed with 44 passenger seats and two pilot seats, was marketed as a safe, family-friendly adventure. Yet, Thursday’s tragedy has cast a dark shadow over those claims.
Details surrounding the cause of the sinking remain murky. Initial reports from Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm suggest the submarine encountered difficulties shortly after departing, sinking rapidly in front of the bustling marina. Local sources speculate mechanical failure or human error, though no official statement has confirmed these theories. The Red Sea Governorate reported that emergency crews acted swiftly, but the speed of the sinking—potentially within minutes—left little time to evacuate all passengers. Weather conditions were not cited as a factor, unlike a November 2024 incident when the tourist boat Sea Story capsized in rough seas near Marsa Alam, leaving 11 dead or missing.
This latest calamity adds to a troubling pattern of maritime incidents in the Red Sea, a region renowned for its crystal-clear waters and biodiversity but increasingly scrutinized for lax safety standards. Just four months ago, the Sea Story sinking prompted the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) to issue warnings about the Red Sea’s dive boat industry, noting 16 incidents over five years involving liveaboard vessels—some fatal. The MAIB’s February 2025 report highlighted inadequate safety briefings, poorly trained crews, and defective equipment as recurring issues. Sindbad Submarines’ website boasts of oxygen masks and life vests onboard, but it’s unclear if these were accessible or functional during the crisis.
Hurghada, stretching 25 miles along Egypt’s Red Sea coast, is a tourism powerhouse, drawing millions annually—Britons and Russians among them—for its scuba diving, coral reefs, and resort lifestyle. The Sindbad tragedy threatens to dent that appeal. “Most of those rescued are shaken but stable,” the Russian Embassy noted, adding that survivors were transported to hotels and hospitals in Hurghada. The fate of several passengers remains unknown, with search efforts ongoing as authorities piece together the sequence of events.
Egyptian officials have launched an investigation, vowing to hold accountable those responsible. The Red Sea Health Directorate remains on high alert, and the incident has reignited calls for stricter regulations on tourist vessels. Sindbad Submarines has not yet responded to requests for comment, leaving the public grasping for answers. For now, the sunken Sindbad lies as a grim reminder of the risks beneath the Red Sea’s beauty—a paradise turned perilous in an instant.
As the world watches, this March 2025 disaster could reshape how Egypt safeguards its vital tourism sector. Stay tuned for updates as this heartbreaking story develops.
