On March 27, 2025, a tragic accident took place off the Egyptian coast of Hurghada when the tourist submarine “Sindbad” sank, killing at least six people and injuring a number of others.
The submarine, run by Sindbad Submarines, was carrying 45 passengers who were all Russian nationals, including children, on a tour to see the coral reefs of the Red Sea. The boat sank about a mile off the coast near the port of Hurghada at around 10:00 a.m. local time. Russian embassy staff said that a majority of the passengers were rescued and were taken to nearby hospitals or back to their hotels. However, six people were officially confirmed dead, with four Russian nationals, two of whom were children.
Emergency responders acted quickly, extricating 29 people and taking them to nearby hospitals. Among those hurt, four were in critical condition. The rest of the passengers either escaped harm or incurred slight injuries.
This accident is the most recent in a series of Red Sea maritime accidents. In November 2024, a tourist vessel called “Sea Story” overturned off Marsa Alam’s coast, killing several people. Investigations showed that the vessel was hit by a massive wave and sank in five to seven minutes. Survivors were rescued after being trapped inside the capsized vessel for more than 24 hours. citeturn0search4
A report by British marine investigators raised concerns regarding safety standards among ships plying the area, pointing to poor build quality, faulty or absent lifesaving gear, and ill-trained crews. In the last five years, there have been 16 sinking cases in the region that have claimed multiple lives.
The reason behind the sinking of the Sindbad submarine is being investigated. Local authorities, in cooperation with national agencies, are investigating the incident to ascertain if it was caused by structural faults, human mistake, or external causes like underwater obstacles.
The Russian embassy in Egypt has been extending condolences to the families of the victims and supporting the survivors. Diplomatic officials are involved in the continuing search and rescue mission, assisting the Egyptian government to secure their citizens’ safety and welfare.
In response to recent accidents, authorities are calling for improved enforcement of safety standards for tourist boats sailing in the Red Sea. Suggestions involve frequent safety checks, compulsory crew training, and extensive safety briefing for tourists. Tourists should check the safety history of tour operators and make sure boats meet international safety requirements prior to undertaking excursion
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