Sunday June 11, 2023 1:32 PM, UK
A search is underway for three missing British passengers after a diving boat caught fire in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt, authorities said.
Twelve tourists were rescued from the boat in Marsa Alam, which according to local authorities was carrying 15 British passengers, 10 crew members and two guides.
Authorities said initial reports suggested the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
The ship had left Port Ghalib on Tuesday (June 6) and was due to return on Sunday.
The Red Sea Governorate said: “The initial examination resulted in an electrical short circuit in the engine room, and the investigating authorities went to carry out an inspection and investigation.”
Images on social media appeared to show the boat nearly engulfed in flames and smoke.
“We saw smoke from the boat, it was about 9 km from the beach,” said Ahmed Maher, diving manager in the village of Marsa Shagra, according to Reuters.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with local authorities following an incident aboard a diving boat near Marsa Alam, and we are supporting the British nationals involved.”
The fire was detected at 9:15 am on Sunday and, according to a statement from the Red Sea Governorate, the Secretary General confirmed that the accident was the result of a fire on the ship, which was named ‘Hurricane’.
He added: “He pointed out that the crew and passengers were rescued by the ship named ‘Blue’ and returned to the center of Marsa Alam, and the competent authorities and other ships are still searching for 3 British passengers, and stressed that the Ambulance Authority and the Directorate of Health Affairs have been notified to raise the level of preparation and follow-up is underway.”
A search party has been launched to find the three remaining British tourists whose identities have not been released.