A tragic incident in the Red Sea has claimed the lives of three British nationals. The individuals were aboard the scuba diving vessel "Hurricane" when a fire erupted near the resort town of Marsa Alam, Egypt, on Sunday. Egyptian officials attributed the blaze to an electrical malfunction within the engine room.
Scuba Travel, the U.K.-based tour operator that organized the diving trip, confirmed the deaths in a statement, expressing their deep sorrow. While Egyptian authorities initially reported the divers as missing, Scuba Travel stated they "must accept" the three individuals perished in the fire. The company has not yet disclosed how they reached this conclusion or revealed the identities of the deceased.
The fire broke out early Sunday morning while twelve other British divers and fourteen Egyptian crew members were onboard. A rescue operation successfully evacuated everyone present for the dive briefing, but the three missing divers had apparently chosen not to participate in that morning's dive, according to Scuba Travel. The company clarified that all fifteen tourists on the week-long cruise were qualified divers.
Scuba Travel spokesperson Pat Adamson explained to The Associated Press that the tour operator lacked specific information regarding the location of the three guests at the time of the fire or the whereabouts of their bodies. Adamson noted it wasn't uncommon for guests to forgo early morning dives on these extended trips. He also mentioned that Egyptian authorities have yet to confirm whether an investigation team has boarded the vessel, and the tour company is awaiting a comprehensive investigation.
Egypt's Red Sea coast, renowned for its stunning beaches and vibrant coral reefs, is a popular destination for European tourists. The country has invested significant effort in recent years to revitalize its tourism sector, which has faced challenges due to political instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine.
