A tourist submarine sank near Hurghada, Egypt, killing at least six people and injuring nine. Emergency crews rescued 29 passengers, while the fate of some remains unclear. The cause of the sinking is unknown. The Sindbad submarine had been operating tourist trips for years. The Red Sea, a key tourism hub, has seen past maritime accidents, with security concerns affecting travel in the region.

At least six people have lost their lives, and dozens of others have been rescued after a tourist submarine sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt.

According to two municipal officials, nine of those rescued sustained injuries after the vessel went down near Hurghada. Reports from Sky’s US partner, NBC News, citing the Russian embassy in Cairo, indicate that four of the deceased were Russian citizens.

The submarine, named Sindbad, was carrying 45 passengers, including children, NBC News reported. The cause of the sinking remains unclear.

The Russian embassy provided a statement to NBC, saying: "On March 27, at about 10:00, the Sindbad bathyscaphe, owned by the hotel of the same name, crashed 1km off the shore. […] In addition to the crew, there were 45 tourists on board, including minors."

The embassy further stated: "Most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada. Their health condition is not a concern. Four people died. The fate of several tourists is being clarified."

Emergency response teams managed to rescue 29 people during the disaster, as confirmed in a statement released by the Red Sea governorate. According to local media reports, the group had paid for a sea trip to explore the coral reefs in Hurghada.

Security and emergency services, including 21 ambulances, were dispatched to the scene, Egyptian newspaper Al-Masry Al-Youm reported. The submarine had been conducting tourist excursions in the area for several years, the publication added.

Hurghada, a popular beach resort town, stretches approximately 25 miles along Egypt’s Red Sea coastline. Egyptian officials, who requested anonymity, told the Associated Press that the submarine had embarked from one of the beaches in the tourist promenade area. Passengers included tourists of various nationalities.

The Red Sea, known for its vibrant coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity, is a vital center for Egypt’s tourism industry. Russian tourists have increasingly contributed to the sector’s growth. A United Nations report ranked Egypt as the top African country for tourism revenues in 2024, generating $14.1 billion (£11 billion)—more than twice the revenue earned from the Suez Canal. This underscores tourism’s critical role in sustaining Egypt’s economy.

Despite its economic importance, some travel companies have halted or reduced operations in the Red Sea region due to security concerns arising from regional conflicts.

This is not the first maritime tragedy in the area. In November, four people drowned, and 33 others were rescued after a tourist diving boat was struck by high waves and sank within minutes.