International Tourist boat with 45 people on board sinks in the Red Sea

A boat has sunk off the Egyptian coast in the Red Sea with 45 people on board, including around 30 tourists from various countries.

The crew of the "Sea Story" made a distress call in the early morning, explained the governor of the region, Major General Amr Hanafi. Some survivors had been found near the coastal town of Marsa Alam, which is popular with divers and other vacationers.

They were to be brought to safety by plane and a frigate and given medical treatment. It was not initially clear which countries the tourists came from. The area around Hurghada is also very popular with German tourists.

The "Sea Story" is a motor yacht that is only two years old and has cabins for more than 30 passengers. Tour operators advertise it as a boat for multi-day diving excursions in the Red Sea.

According to Hanafi, it left Port Ghalib yesterday and was due to arrive in Hurghada further north on Friday. On board were 31 tourists and a crew of 14. Rescuers are searching for more survivors together with the navy, Hanafi announced.

SDA