Egypt submarine disaster: Two children among six dead as tourist vessel sinks in Red Sea

We are now wrapping up our live updates into the tourist submarine disaster.

Although this page will now be closing, there remains plenty of content on the MailOnline website where our reporters will continue to report any major developments.

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Here are the latest takeaways this afternoon after a tourist submarine, named Sindbad (pictured), sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Hurghada earlier today.

• Authorities have confirmed the six people killed as a result of the sinking are Russian nationals with two of them confirmed as children.
• But earlier claims from embassy officials that all tourists were Russian have been contradicted as it emerges passengers from India, Norway and Sweden were also on board
• Survivors have claimed the vessel began to dive with its hatches still open, leaving tourists to scramble out themselves as it took on water.
• No official cause for the sinking has been given as authorities investigate with reports in Russia indicating the submarine may have struck a reef before capsizing
• British tourists who boarded the Sindbad as recently as three days ago have reacted with shock and vowed never to set foot on a submarine again

These pictures show the rescue site for a sunken tourist submarine in Red Sea off the coast of Hurghada, Egypt.

At least six people were killed and more were injured when the vessel apparently capsized.

The Red Sea Governor has confirmed authorities are investigating the sinking of the tourist submarine in the Red Sea which has claimed the lives of six Russian nationals.

We've yet to receive any official word on what may have caused the Sindbad to go down off the coast of Hurghada at 10am but there are unconfirmed reports in Russia the vessel may have struck a reef.

According to Moscow-based media outlet Mash, the Sindbad apparently capsized after a pilot lost control before the collision and the cabin became depressurised.

Though this account has not been independently verified by investigators.

Today's tragedy is the latest to take place in the Red Sea.

Last month, the UK government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), revealed 16 accidents have occurred involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea over the last five years.

Here is the footage posted by Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy who earlier visited victims of the submarine sinking in hospital in Hurghada.

The Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy said four people remain in intensive care following the submarine sinking.

In a lengthy post on Facebook, Mr Hanafy described how he checked on the injured at multiple hospitals in Hurghada where patients' injuries ranged from bruises, sprains and shortness of breath.

He said four people remain in intensive care including an Indian national whose mother he helped gain access to her hospital ward.

Mr Hanafy said he also reviewed the technical position of the submarine which had a valid license.

Red Sea governor Amr Hanafy has revealed not all tourists on board the Sindbad submarine.

Mr Hanafy said while all the six victims were Russian nationals, there were also passengers from India, Norway and Sweden.

Five Egyptians were also on board.

Earlier, the Russian Embassy in Egypt said all the 45 tourists on board the vessel were Russian citizens.

A survivor of the Hurghada submarine tragedy has shockingly claimed the vessel began to dive with its hatches still open, as six were reported to have died.

Elena Boldareva and her husband were fortunate to be able to swim out of the tourist submersible as water began pouring in, she said.

Her daughter and mother, among 39 rescued, were taken to hospital in serious condition.

'Some managed to swim out, some didn't,' she said in first comments after the harrowing ordeal unfolded around 10am local time this morning.

She described how people tried to save themselves as best they could while tourists on boats nearby rushed to pull people out of the water.

• Read the full story by James Reynolds and Taryn Pedler here

The Red Sea area governor has stated six tourists have been killed and 39 others were rescued.

Amr Hanafy declared no passengers are missing and that authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

He made a statement alongside a video of himself speaking to families and individuals in hospital.

Britons who have boarded the dommed Sindbad submarine have reacted to its sinking in the Red Sea today, saying they are 'shocked' and 'in disbelief'.

Kelly Collins (pictured above), 32, an HGV driver from Wigan, descended 25 metres below the surface in the sub on Monday.

I’m shocked, saddened and in disbelief to hear the news about the poor people on the submarine. I think this has put me off submarines.

Tom McDowell, 63, travelled on the sub with his daughter Sarah, 29, and her boyfriend Robert, 28, and his grandson Jacob, 12, whilst on a family holiday in Hurghada, Egypt, last year.

I was shocked when I read the news that it has sunk - my heart goes out to the victims. When I was onboard I was surprised with how safety focused the crew were. The boat felt sturdy and the staff and the captain we very friendly and professional.

Mr McDowell said he will not step foot on a submarine again following the tragedy.

The tourist submarine diaster in Egypt bears chilling similarities to the 2023 Titan submersible vessel implosion that saw five people die.

The deep sea tragedy off the coast of Newfoundland in Canada saw the custom-built Titan, operated by Oceangate, implode as it descended to the wreck of the Titanic.

In both cases, passengers who simply wanted to explore the wonders of the ocean lost their lives in the process.

They were using companies that had, at the time, a secure reputation and had been operating for a number of years.

In Egypt, passengers submerged up to 72ft for as cheap as £35, while the quintet selected to board the Titan paid up to £186,000 for the privilege.

Rescue efforts off the coast of Hurghada saw 21 ambulances dispatched to the scene of the incident to transport those injured to local hospitals.

By contrast, the search and rescue mission for the Titan accident lasted four days, when the US Coast Guard finally discovered the debris from the vessel.

Perhaps the most chilling similarity between the two disasters is the fact that parents were on board with their children.

Two of the victims in 2023 were British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, and his 19-year-old son Suleman, both of whom were killed when the submersible imploded.

The extent of the fatalities on the Sindbad vessel is not yet fully known, but the Russian embassy has confirmed that minors were among the 45 tourists on board.

A Russian official based in Hurghada has said at least five Russians have been killed in the tourist submarine sinking including two children.

Viktor Voropaev, Russia's consul general in the Red Sea resort, spoke to Tass, the state-owned Russian news agency.

Authorities in Egypt have previously said six people have died as a result of the accident this morning.

The Russian embassy in Egypt said four people had been killed, and that all passengers on board were Russian citizens.

If you're just joining our live coverage, we have been reporting the latest updates after a tourist submarine sank in the Red Sea leaving six people dead.

Here's what you need to know this afternoon:

• Authorities in Egypt have confirmed at least six people have died after the Sindbad submarine sank at around 10am off the shore in Hurghada
• Nine people have been taken to hospital with four described as in a critical condition while 29 people were rescued.
• The cause of the sinking is not yet known but Russian media is reporting the vessel may have struck a reef before it depressurised.
• The tourist submarine, named Sindbad, had been carrying around 44 passengers, including children, at the time of the sinking, which took place off the marina of the Sindbad Club Hotel.
• The passengers had been out on a sea trip to see Egypt's coral reefs and tropical fish before the vessel, which can dive to depths of up to 72ft, sank.
• The Russian Embassy in Egypt released a statement stating all the passengers were Russian citizens despite previous reports they were of 'different nationalities'

Stick with us throughout the afternoon as we bring you the latest developments

Tourists currently holidaying in Hurghada who had been on the sub or were planning a trip have spoken of their shock following the submarine sinking.

Posting comments on the Sinbad Club Guests Facebook page, some told they had recently been on the vessel before it sank this morning

One wrote:

Oh my god; we were only on the submarine on Monday just gone it seemed so well organised xx.

Another added:

This is so sad, went on this in January. Thinking of all involved this is tragic xx.

A third commented:

Such sad news for all involved, my son wanted to go on this.. not now we won't.. xx

The submarine has been operating tourist trips in Hurghada for several years.

According to the operator, Sharm Hurghada Excursions, the underwater tour is three-hours long and costs £68 per adult ticket, and £35 for children.

The tragic submarine sinking in the Red Sea has so far left six people dead and nine more injured, after the tourist vessel failed off the coast of the Egyptian city of Hurghada.

The submarine, named Sindbad, was carrying 44 passengers at the time of the sinking, with 29 people having so far been saved. Some 21 ambulances have been dispatched to the scene of the accident, and have been transporting the injured to local hospitals.

Sadly, this is not the first time tourist vessels have sunk on the Red Sea.

According to the UK government's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), 16 accidents have occurred involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea over the last five years.

Read more here

A Russian Telegram channel is reporting the Sindbad submarine struck a reef which led to depressurisation.

The collision reportedly took place at 65ft below sea level.

Dozens of passengers, all believed to be Russian, were on board the vessel to see Egypt's coral reefs and tropical fish before it sank.

Police and ambulance vehicles are stationed outside a hospital in Hurghada following the sinking of a tourist submarine this morning.

Dozens of people were rescued from the Sindbad after an accident around 1km off the shore of the popular holiday resort.

Six people have been confirmed dead by local officials with some understood to be seriously injured.

We will continue to bring you the latest developments when we can.

We can now show you footage of inside the Sindbad submarine which has today sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Hurghada.

Passengers who board the submersible are promised the chance to admire extensive coral reef and sea life at a depth of 72ft.

The website for Sindbad Submarines reads: 'It offers 44 passenger seats - two pilots' seats and a sizable round viewing window for each passenger.'

See the footage below:

The International Maritime Organisation, the United Nations agency which acts as the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping, has said it is 'aware' of the incident off Hurghada.

A spokeswoman told The Independent:

Search and rescue operations are led by the relevant national authorities and if within Egyptian waters, normally domestic regulations would apply.

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.

They apply to submersible craft adapted to accommodate passengers and are intended for underwater excursions with the pressure in the passenger compartment at or near one atmosphere.

The Russian Embassy in Egypt has released a statement stating all 45 tourists on board the Sindbad tourist submarine were Russian.

Officials said the the accident took place at around 10am local time this morning around 1km off Hurghada.

According to the statement, four people have been killed.

Local officials have since confirmed six fatalities.

Most of the passengers on board were rescued and transported to hotels and hospitals in Hurghada.

It said all 45 tourists were with holiday company Biblio Globus.

Authorities in Hurghada have confirmed to Reuters news agency that six people have died.

The number is the same as the first reports of the tragedy coming out with Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm also publishing pictures of the boat.

The Russian embassy in Cairo has said four Russians have died.

Initial reports stated the tourists on board the Sinbad were of 'different nationalities'.

But the Russian embassy in Cairo has told NBC that everyone on board was a Russian citizen.

Officials said children were among the passengers on the vessel when it crashed 1km off the shore of Hurghada at around 10am local time.

In a statement to NBC, the embassy said:

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. All of them are Russian citizens.

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

Here are some pictures of inside the Sindbad submarine taken on an underwater excusion.

Passengers who go onbaoard the water craft are taken to see Egypt's coral reefs and tropical fish at depths of up to 72ft.

NBC News, citing the Russian embassy in Cairo, is reporting that four Russian citizens are among the dead.

We will continue to bring you more updates as and when we can.

Hurghada is a popular beach resort stretching some 40km along Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

The destination is popular with British and German visitors and several nautical jaunts operate from the coast.

It also has a history of tourist boat accidents.

In November last year, a tourist boat named Sea Story sank off Egypt's Red Sea coast.

The boat sank near Shaab Satayah, a coral reef popular for diving trips, off the tourist resort of Marsa Alam in the early hours of November 25.

Last month, UK investigators said there had been 16 incidents involving 'liveaboard"' vessels in the area in the last five years, a number of which had resulted in deaths.

Sindbad - the tourist submarine which has sunk in the Red Sea, has been operating trips in Hurghada for several years.

According to the operator, Sharm Hurghada Excursions, the underwater tour is three-hours long and costs £68 per adult ticket, and £35 for children.

The company boasts its excursions allow visitors to admire Hurghada's underwater life and extensive coral reef, enjoy a diving experience while staying dry, and see life underwater at a depth of 72ft.

It also claims it holds two of the only '14 real recreational submarines' in the world.

The website for Sindbad Submarines continues: 'It offers 44 passenger seats - two pilots' seats and a sizable round viewing window for each passenger.'

The cause and circumstance of the sinking have not yet been confirmed or reported.

Six people are reported to have died after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Egypt.

Details are continuing to emerge but here's what you need to know:

• A tourist submarine, named Sindbad, had been carrying 44 passengers at the time of the sinking as it sailed off the coast of Hurghada
• According to reports, six people have died, a further nine are injured, four of whom critically, and 29 people have so far been rescued
• Some 21 ambulances have been dispatched to the scene of the accident, and have been transporting the injured to local hospitals due to the severity of their conditions.
• The Red Sea Security Directorate received a report of the tourist submarine sinking, which took place close to the harbour in front of the marina of a 'famous hotel' that has not yet been named
• Passengers had been out on a sea trip to see Egypt's coral reefs and tropical fish before the vessel, which can reportedly dive to depths of up to 72ft, sank

Six people have reportedly died after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Egypt.

A further nine have been left injured in the incident, with four in critical condition, according to local reports.

The tourist submarine, named Sindbad, had been carrying 44 passengers at the time of the sinking on Thursday, as it sailed off the coast of Hurghada.

Read our breaking news story here:

Hello and welcome to MailOnline's live coverage as it emerges six people are believed to have died as a result of a tourist submarine sinking in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast.

The boat, named Sindbad, was reportedly carrying 44 people of different nationalities when it sank near Hurghada.

Six people are reported to have died with a further nine injured, four of whom said to be critically.

Rescue services have so far managed to save 29 people, reports Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm.

Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates on this developing news story.