Tourist submarine sinks in Egypt’s Red Sea, killing six people and raising urgent questions about safety protocols for recreational underwater tours in the region. The incident occurred near the coastal resort town of Hurghada, a popular destination for coral reef excursions and Red Sea tourism.
The submarine, operated by Sindbad, was carrying 50 people on Thursday morning when it went down less than a mile from the shore. Authorities confirmed that the vessel was on a routine coral reef sightseeing trip at the time of the sinking. Among those onboard were tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, as well as five Egyptian crew members.
Emergency services managed to rescue 39 people, including all the remaining passengers, though 14 were hospitalized. Of the six fatalities, at least five were Russian nationals, according to officials from the Russian embassy in Egypt. The vessel went down at approximately 10 a.m. local time and was submerged near one of Hurghada’s most frequented diving and snorkeling areas.
The exact cause of the accident remains unknown, and Egyptian authorities have not released detailed findings. The Sindbad submarine was licensed and, according to officials, captained by a trained and certified professional. The model used for the excursion was capable of carrying 44 passengers and diving to depths of about 82 feet, offering close-up views of marine life and coral reefs.
Sindbad is known for offering unique underwater tourism experiences and claims to operate two of only 14 recreational submarines worldwide. Its website, which previously described these excursions in detail, appeared to be offline later in the day. Staff members reached at the Sindbad Resort’s front desk confirmed that the submarine involved belonged to their company but declined to give further information.
The tour was reportedly organized by Biblio Globus Egypt Tours, a company based in Hurghada. Efforts to reach the agency were unsuccessful, and their website was also down. The incident has shaken Egypt’s tourism industry, especially given the country’s popularity among Russian travelers, with over a million visiting annually in recent years.
Recreational submarines and boat tours have become staples of Red Sea tourism, particularly in towns like Hurghada and Marsa Alam. However, Egypt has faced repeated issues involving water-based tourism safety. In the past five years alone, the UK’s Maritime Accident Investigation Branch recorded at least 16 accidents involving dive vessels operating in the region. These incidents often stemmed from poorly maintained boats, insufficient emergency exits, or untrained crews.
Last November, four tourists died when a dive boat sank during a multi-day trip from Marsa Alam. That tragedy was supposed to end in Hurghada as well, adding another layer of concern over repeated incidents in the same region. The British agency has since called for tighter regulations and safety improvements across Red Sea tourist operators.
The recent submarine sinking adds urgency to those warnings. Though Houthi rebel activity in the broader Red Sea area has caused disruptions to commercial shipping, there is currently no indication that the submarine incident was linked to regional tensions. The focus remains on mechanical failure or human error as the most likely causes.
Tourism is a vital pillar of Egypt’s economy, and the Red Sea region plays a significant role in attracting international visitors. As investigations continue, the spotlight is now on how tour operators, resorts, and regulatory bodies will respond to prevent such incidents in the future. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder that even in paradise, safety must never be an afterthought.
Have you ever been on a submarine or boat tour in the Red Sea? Share your experiences or concerns in the comments below.
I wouldn’t risk travelling in a “tourist submarine” anywhere in the world, let alone the Middle East”!