The Red Sea operations room rescued on Tuesday 37 people from drowning, including foreign tourists, after their tourist boat sank north of the Egyptian city of Hurghada in the Red Sea.
The operations room received a Mayday that a tourist boat carrying the name “Carlton” sank north of Hurghada after water was getting into the hull.
The boat was carrying 37 people, including 26 tourists from different nationalities, eight crew members, and three diving guides.
Major General Ashraf El-Beh, the head of the city, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat the safety of all tourists who were on board the boat. “They were all rescued,” he said, noting that no injuries were reported.
He added that authorities are following up on the incident and will investigate the reasons for the sinking.
The ill-fated tourist boat sank near Al-Gouna resort in Hurghada, according to El-Beh.
The privately-owned boat sank during a cruise to one of the diving areas, he added.
Last week, the city of Hurghada reported an increase in hotels and resorts occupancy on Eid Al-Fitr holiday.
On Saturday, Hurghada International Airport recorded the highest weekly arrivals, receiving 152 regular flights and charters carrying about 27,000 tourists.
The marine tourism movement in the Red Sea city is witnessing an increasing activity, especially for cruises and diving.
Three weeks ago, a tourist boat carrying 14 people and two of its crew also sank while on a trip to the Giftun Islands, facing the Hurghada coasts, due to strong winds and high waves.
Other tourist boats in the Red Sea were able to save the passengers.
