Six foreigners were killed on Thursday when a tourist submarine sank off Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Hurghada, the local governor’s office told Reuters, without confirming the nationalities of the victims.
The Russian consulate in Hurghada said the submarine, named “SINDBAD,” had 45 Russian tourists on board, in addition to crew members.
The consulate said four people had died, but did not specify if they were Russian. Two municipal officials told the Associated Press that nine others had been injured.
“According to initial data, most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada,” the consulate said.
The fate of several tourists was still being clarified, the consulate added.
Emergency crews were able to rescue 29 people, according to a statement released by the Red Sea Governorate.
It was not immediately clear what caused the submarine to sink.
The Red Sea, renowned for its coral reefs and marine life, is a major hub for Egypt’s tourism industry, which plays a critical role in the country’s economy. But many tourist companies have stopped or limited travelling on the Red Sea due to the dangers from conflicts in the region.
In November, a tourist boat capsized off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, killing four people.
