Egyptian media reported that a rescue operation was underway as 14 crew members and 31 tourists of different nationalities were missing after a boat sank in the Red Sea.

Landscape with beach in Port Ghalib, Marsa Alam

The boat departed from Porto Ghalib Port in Marsa Alam. (Image: Getty)

A tourist ship, the Sea Story, has sunk in shark-infested waters with 45 people, including 31 tourists, missing, Egyptian media has reported. 

Al-Masry Al-Youm reported that the diving trip departed from Porto Ghalib Port in Marsa Alam and was supposed to return to the port of Hurghada. 

It's unclear what caused the sinking, but local reports said that a helicopter and naval units were involved in the frantic search.

The boat is understood to have been taking around the coast for a scuba diving trip when it issued a distress signal, before losing contact.

Sea Story

The most recently listed position for the Sea Story on Marine Traffic (Image: Marine Traffic)

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