A routine underwater sightseeing tour turned into a deadly tragedy in Egypt’s Red Sea, when the Sindbad submarine sank just off the coast of Hurghada, leaving six people dead — including two children — and nine more injured.
As investigations unfold, here’s a complete breakdown of what we know so far…
What Happened?
The incident occurred on the morning of Thursday, March 27, around 10:00AM (local time), when the tourist submarine Sindbad sank approximately 1km (0.6 miles) offshore, according to a statement from the Russian Embassy in Egypt and reports from BBC News, CNN, and The Independent.
The vessel, which operates as part of a tourist experience to explore coral reefs, was on a routine underwater excursion near the popular Red Sea resort city of Hurghada when it reportedly “crashed” and sank.
Egyptian authorities say the submarine had 45 people on board at the time, including tourists and crew.
Six Russian nationals, including two children, died.
A total of 39 people were rescued, with nine injured — four critically, and seven children aged 2 to 15 hospitalized, according to Russian-operated news outlet RIA Novosti, via CNN.
Who Was On Board?
According to Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy (via BBC News), the passengers included tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, as well as five Egyptians.
While initial statements from the Russian Embassy indicated all on board were Russian, later clarification confirmed the broader mix of nationalities.
Governor Hanafy confirmed no passengers were missing, despite The Independent briefly reporting one unaccounted for earlier that day.
The Victims
All six of the deceased were Russian nationals, including two minors.
Injured survivors were treated at local hospitals in Hurghada. Governor Hanafy, who visited the victims in hospital, reported their injuries included wounds, sprains, bruises, and respiratory issues, with four people placed in intensive care.
CNN adds that 21 people, including children, were taken to the hospital following the rescue.
What Is the Sindbad Submarine?
The Sindbad is a recreational submarine operated by Sindbad Submarines and Biblio Globus Egypt Tours, based at the Sindbad Resort in Hurghada. It’s designed specifically for tourism, allowing passengers to explore coral reefs 25 meters (82 feet) underwater for around 40 minutes, according to company descriptions cited by BBC News, CNN, and The Independent.
The submarine features:
- 44 passenger seats
- Two pilot seats
- Large round viewing windows
- Air-conditioned cabins
- Personal TV monitors
- Oxygen masks overhead
- Life vests under each seat
The company claims to operate two of the only 14 real recreational submarines in the world, engineered in Finland to withstand underwater pressure up to 75 meters.
Eyewitness Accounts From Past Passengers
British traveler Dr. James Aldridge, who took the same submarine tour a month earlier, described the trip as safe and well-managed. He said every passenger was assigned a seat by a window, and the sub wasn’t crowded.
“There is a recorded safety brief in multiple languages… I never felt unsafe,” he told BBC News. “I never felt unsafe”
He added that divers outside the sub used fish food to attract marine life and emphasized the sub never went too close to the reef or its maximum depth. He noted, however, that he was not issued a life jacket.
However, not all accounts were positive. Benjamin Grey, 50, who traveled in February with his daughter and partner, said his tour was fraught with red flags: “The submarine surfaced at least three times… there was a diver who looked like he’d picked up a rock. He was banging something on the bottom of the submarine.”
Grey also stated that no safety instructions were given before boarding.
Travel vlogger Curtis Meredith, who went on the same tour in 2024, described it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It’s one of those things that’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“We happened to stay at the Sindbad resort and they have the submarines. I’d imagine most people that stay there go on this excursion,” Meredith told The Independent. “For the trip, we got on a normal boat that went further out into the ocean and then mounted a platform before submerging into the submarine.”
“It felt safe for us at the time but realistically, if you are going that deep into the sea it can’t be that safe,” Meredith added.
He recounted boarding a surface boat before transferring to a floating platform that housed the submarine, a process he said was handled smoothly.
Additionally, a British woman who rode the same sub just a day before the crash shared her heartbreak on Facebook, per The Independent: “Just yesterday, we were on the same sub, and it’s unimaginable to see such sorrow unfold. Words fail us… our hearts ache for the victims and their families.”
What Caused the Sinking?
As of now, the exact cause of the disaster remains unknown. An investigation is underway, Egyptian officials confirmed.
Governor Hanafy told BBC News the submarine had a valid license, and the crew leader possessed the correct scientific certifications. The weather at the time was calm, ruling out rough seas as a likely factor.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) told The Independent it was aware of the incident, noting that Egyptian national authorities would lead the investigation. The IMO has previously issued global safety standards for passenger submersibles.
“Search and rescue operations are led by the relevant national authorities and if within Egyptian waters, normally domestic regulations would apply,” the statement said. “IMO has developed and issued guidelines on the design, construction and operation of passenger submersible craft, which provide internationally agreed safety standards for their design and operation.
Not the First Red Sea Tragedy
This isn’t an isolated incident. Just a few months earlier, in November, a tourist yacht named Sea Story sank off Hurghada, leaving 11 people dead or missing, including a British couple.
UK investigators later found that 16 similar incidents involving “liveaboard” vessels had occurred in the past five years, many resulting in deaths.
Tourism is one of Egypt’s most vital economic engines, with Hurghada being a hotspot thanks to its coral reefs and pristine waters. However, repeated safety lapses could jeopardize the region’s reputation.
As noted by CNN and The Independent, some tour operators have already begun scaling back Red Sea excursions due to growing safety concerns and regional instability.
Our thoughts go out to everybody impacted by this tragedy.
