Submarine Accident Claims Six Russian Tourist Lives off Egyptian coast

[Social Media]

 

Six Russian tourists lost their lives on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank near the Egyptian resort city of Hurghada. Maj. Gen. Amr Hanafy confirmed the fatalities on the Red Sea Governorate’s official Facebook page, stating that 45 passengers were onboard at the time, including tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, along with five Egyptian crew members. According to Hanafy, apart from the six Russians, all other tourists were successfully rescued.

 

Inside the same Sinbad tourist submarine that sunk off the coast of Egypt in the Red Sea on Thursday morning. This video is from a previous voyage. It gives you a sense of the experience when things don’t go terribly wrong.

Inside the same Sinbad tourist submarine that sunk off the coast of Egypt in the Red Sea on Thursday morning.

44 Russians were on board. Six are reportedly de*d.

This video is from a previous voyage. It gives you a sense of the experience when things don’t go terribly wrong. pic.twitter.com/euIJbDPetq

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) March 27, 2025

 

The governor also noted that four individuals were critically injured and are currently receiving treatment in intensive care at local hospitals. The tragic accident occurred in the waters off Egypt’s eastern coastline and involved a vessel operated by Sindbad Submarines. According to the Russian consulate in Hurghada, the submarine "crashed at a distance of 1 km from the shore" at around 10 a.m. while conducting an underwater excursion to explore the coral reef. The consulate added that most passengers were rescued and taken to nearby hotels and hospitals for further care.

 

 

Hanafy stated that "investigations by the authorities are underway with the vessel’s crew to determine the cause of the incident," emphasizing that the submarine had a valid operating license and its crew leader possessed the necessary "scientific certificates." In a video shared alongside the statement, Hanafy was seen visiting survivors in hospitals, where some were wrapped in emergency blankets while others remained in their hospital beds.

 

 

Hurghada, located approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) southeast of Cairo, is a popular tourist destination known for its Red Sea resorts and diving opportunities. Sindbad Submarines, the operator of the ill-fated vessel, describes itself as an experienced company specializing in underwater excursions. The company’s website states that its submarines are "engineered in Finland to sustain underwater pressure up to 75m, ensuring safety and reliability." It also claims that "oxygen masks are located overhead and life vests under the seats" to ensure passenger safety in emergencies.

 

 

Sindbad Submarines operates two recreational submarines, each with the capacity to carry 44 passengers and two pilots. The vessels are designed with "sizable round viewing windows" for each passenger, allowing them to observe marine life at depths of up to 25 meters (82 feet) for approximately 40 minutes. The company promotes the experience as an opportunity to explore "500 meters of coral reef and its marine inhabitants" from a "spacious air-conditioned cabin" with "comfortable seats and personal TV monitors."

 

The weather conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be favorable, with clear skies, light winds, and temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). Wind speeds were recorded at under 10 kph, according to CNN meteorologists.

 

Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has yet to comment on the incident. The country’s tourism industry is a vital sector of its economy, attracting millions of visitors annually. However, safety concerns have occasionally marred the industry’s reputation. In November, at least 16 people went missing after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea following warnings of rough seas. The exact cause of that incident remains unknown.

 

As investigations continue into the submarine tragedy, questions remain about the circumstances that led to the vessel's sinking despite its reported safety measures.

 

Based on a report by CNN  2025-03-28

 

 

[flyingtlger]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, along with five Egyptian crew members were in the submarine, apart from the six Russians, all other tourists were successfully rescued....

That's weird. I wonder why only the Russians died? 

[Tug]

I’m curious about the actual accident what happened?did it flood did it fail to surface did the oxygen in the vessel run out?what happened?sucks folks got killed my condolences.

[dlclark97]

Did you miss this part?      "crashed at a distance of 1 km from the shore"

[Nid_Noi]

If it had imploded like the Titan of Oceangate, nobody would have survived. Maybe a poorly closed hatch failed during the dive.

[Digitalbanana]

10 minutes ago, dlclark97 said:

Did you miss this part?      "crashed at a distance of 1 km from the shore"

Did you miss this part from another source? 

 

....  a survivor said that as they took their reserved seats, water started "pouring in" as **two hatches were open**. She said it was as if the submarine had fallen off "whatever it was holding on to".

[newbee2022]

8 hours ago, flyingtlger said:

That's weird. I wonder why only the Russians died? 

It was plain terrorism?😨

[ignore it]

 

Hmm.

 

Going to scratch "Egyptian Submarine Trip" off my bucket list. 

[Grumpy one]

1 hour ago, ignore it said:

 

Hmm.

 

Going to scratch "Egyptian Submarine Trip" off my bucket list. 

Why? 

It seems safe enough unless you are Russian

[NoDisplayName]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

The company’s website states that its submarines are "engineered in Finland to sustain underwater pressure up to 75m, ensuring safety and reliability."

 

Should'a bought a Chinese sub from Harbor Freight.

[Tug]

6 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

Did you miss this part from another source? 

 

....  a survivor said that as they took their reserved seats, water started "pouring in" as **two hatches were open**. She said it was as if the submarine had fallen off "whatever it was holding on to".

Thanks for clearing that up it’s frustrating when these stories come out with absolutely no information.im very surprised there weren’t more killed .most must have gotten out before it left the surface.I can’t believe that so many untrained tourists would have survived a free assent from a sunken submarine.

[Purdey]

So many tourists from a country supposed to be almost bankrupt. 

[nauseus]

Another Hurghada holiday from hell.

 

Sad. 

[radiochaser]

19 hours ago, ignore it said:

 

Hmm.

 

Going to scratch "Egyptian Submarine Trip" off my bucket list. 

Scratch "Egyptian Submarine Trip" off my bucket list.