Hurghada submarine LIVE: Two kids dead and five people trapped after vessel 'hit reef'

19 mins ago15:26 Conor Wilson

Hanafy has now expanded on his earlier comments, confirming that not all of the passengers onboard the submarine were Russian.

He says that Indians, Norwegians and Swedes were also amongst those on board although all six of the passengers who lost their lives were Russian.

30 mins ago15:15 Conor Wilson

The Red Sea governer Amr Hanafy says that authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

Earlier today, Hanafy visited survivors in hospital, many of whom were wrapped in blankets.

The governer confirmed that nobdoy remains missing after six bodies were recovered along with 39 survivors.

52 mins ago14:53 Emily Wright

The Health Ministry of Egypt has declared a state of emergency.

The ministry confirmed that six people have died and a further 27 more people are in hospital following the accident.

56 mins ago14:49 Emily Wright

A British holidaymaker who travelled onboard the Sindbad submarine just three days ago has said she will never board a submersible again.

Kelly Collins, 32, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, was on holiday with her partner and said: “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.”

60 mins ago14:45 Emily Wright

Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate have confirmed that there are no missing people in the sinking of Sindbad, everyone is accounted for. They added that 39 tourists were rescued.

They also confirmed that the six foreigners killed in the sinking were all Russians. This comes as an official from Russia told Tass news agency that “at least five” Russians were killed, including two children.

The Russian console in Hurghada told the country’s state news agency RIA Novosti said 14 survivors were admitted to hospital and the rest returned to their hotel.

1 hour ago14:33 Emily Wright

The website for Sinbad Submarines, the company that operated the submarine that sank in the Red Sea on Thursday is no longer working.

At the moment, it is unclear whether it has been taken down or there are technical difficulties.

1 hour ago14:18 Emily Wright

An ambulance and a police vehicle have been pictured standing in front of the Egyptian Hospital in Hurghada, Egypt.

21 ambulances are said to be have been involved in rescue efforts and to take the injred to hospital.

At least 29 people have been rescued but six have died, including two children.

Ambulance and police pictured outside Hurghada hospital (Image: STRINGER/EPA-EFE/REX/Shu​tterstock)

1 hour ago14:16 Emily Wright

The operator of the submarine has an “expert team” with “years of experience,” according to its website.

It adds that its submarines were “engineered in Finland to sustain underwater pressure up to 75m, ensuring safety and reliability.”

In an emergency, the company says “oxygen masks are located overhead and life vests under the seats.”

2 hours ago14:04 Emily Wright

Two Russian children have been confirmed dead following the capsizing this morning.

Viktor Voropaev, a Russian official in Hurghada told Russia's state TASS news agency that two of the six people who died in the incident were minors.

Husband and wife medics have also died, leaving their two daughters - aged 10 and 15 - orphaned.

Anaesthetist Ravil Valiullin, 40, and his wife Kristina, 39, a children’s doctor, were both killed. Their daughters escaped and are now in hospital.

Egyptian officials speaking on condition of anonymity said they were unsure of the nationality of the sixth person.

2 hours ago13:53 Emily Wright

A tourist staying at the Sindbad Club in Hurghada, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the BBC: "We heard the ambulance sirens which lasted a long time and there are still at least three ambulances at the harbour."

The Russian Embassy statement earlier today revealed that the vessel was owned by the hotel.

2 hours ago13:49 Emily Wright

Weather stations show that the weather at Hurghada and offshore in the Red Sea were calm this morning.

Observation points show the weather at Hurghada was calm, with wind speeds approaching 5mph and no low cloud that might otherwise complicate seabound voyages.

Wave heights in the area where the disaster took place were also only around 0.6 foot, meaning the seas were not exceptionally rough.

2 hours ago13:42 Emily Wright

Earlier this month, the tourists to Egypt were issued a stark warning over "liveaboard vessels" operating in the Red Sea.

The Foreign Office has reported several incidents involving British nationals on boat tours, with differing types of boats implicated.

Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said: "The MAIB is aware of 16 accidents that have occurred over the last 5 years involving liveaboard dive vessels operating in the Red Sea.

"It is deeply regrettable that a number of these accidents have resulted in the loss of life and our thoughts are with all those affected.

"Our safety bulletin provides important guidance to those intending to stay on liveaboard vessels. It is important to remember that such vessels are unlikely to be built, maintained, equipped, and operated to the standard of similar vessels in the UK and we urge the exercise of extreme caution when choosing a boat."

Read more about the warning to tourists here.

Foreign Office issue warning to tourists travelling to Egypt over 'liveaboard vessels' (Image: Getty)

2 hours ago13:36 Emily Wright

Safety standards of vessels operating in the Red Sea were heavily criticised last month by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Investigators looked into the Sea Story tragedy which occured last November, which capsized. Eleven people drowned or are presumed dead.

They also studied previous dive-boat sinking. The investigators were focused on dive boats, but their remarks do not present Egyptian maritime safety in a positive light.

“The dive boats involved were poorly constructed and often substantially modified/extended, which resulted in some vessels exhibiting inadequate stability.

“Essential lifesaving equipment was defective, out-of-date for service and, in some cases, missing.

“The rapid spread of fire is indicative of poor structural fire protection, and items of essential safety equipment, such as fire detection systems and fire extinguishers, were either missing or defective.

“Emergency escape routes were via lockable doors, had no emergency lighting and were unmarked.

“Safety briefings to passengers were of a poor standard or not conducted at all.

“Crews appeared poorly trained and were unfamiliar with their vessels.”

The MAIB report also referenced earlier incidents. In June 2023, dive boat Hurricane caught fire and was abandoned near Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea. Of the 29 people on board, three UK passengers remain unaccounted for and are presumed dead.

3 hours ago13:05 Emily Wright

The Sindbad submersible was allegedly in "terrible condition" before today's doomed voyage, it has been claimed. Russian news outlets have reported that tourists complained about issues with the vessel, including its glass windows and the quality of its life jackets.

“The glass was broken and scuffed, and visibility was 50/50. It was difficult to see the fish and the diving show," one report from the state TASS agency said.

Other complaints alleged there were “old and damaged life jackets”. The report said: “There were few of them and no one knew how to get them out correctly. Before the excursion, the guides did not conduct any instructions and did not tell what to do in case of an emergency.

“So after hitting a reef at depth, people simply did not know what to do and how to swim out. Water flooded the cabin and people panicked.”

Sub in 'terrible condition' before voyage, says Russian news outlet (Image: uncredited)

3 hours ago12:48 Emily Wright

The tourist submarine sank off the Egyptian Red Sea city of Hurghada early on Thursday.

The city is a popular tourist destination, boasting spectacular beaches and coral reefs, which the sub had set out to explore.

Where the submarine sank - mapped. (Image: Getty)

3 hours ago12:36 Emily Wright

According to local reports, the Sindbad collided with the Red Sea reef and suffered "depressurisation".

Cabin depressurisation refers to a situation where the internal pressure of a submarine's compartments drops rapidly, potentially to a level lower than the surrounding water pressure or atmospheric pressure.

A sudden drop in pressure can lead to a reduction in oxygen levels, causing hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and lung damage.

3 hours ago12:33 Emily Wright

An advert by Sinbad Club states: “Enjoy the breath-taking view in the air-conditioned comfort and safety of our submarine.

“It offers 44 passenger seats, two pilot's seats and a sizeable round viewing window for each passenger.

“Experience the beauty of the Red Sea underwater world without getting wet.”

3 hours ago12:30 Emily Wright

Biblio Globus Egypt Tours, who runs the submarine tours, has released a statement: “On March 27, at about 10am, 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."

"It added: “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.”

3 hours ago12:26 Emily Wright

In a post from Ria Novosti (Russian state news media), a photo said to be the site of the sub accident has been revealed.

A search operation is reportedly underway.

Photo from the sub site off the coast of Egypt (Image: Ria Novosti )

4 hours ago11:54 Emily Wright

The sub accident is reminiscent of the Titan submersible implosion which occurred in 2023.

Titan, a submersible operated by the American tourism and expeditions company OceanGate, imploded during an expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic. All five aboard were killed, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, Pakistani-British businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman.

Sub disaster reminiscent of Titan disaster. (Image: Getty)

4 hours ago11:49 Emily Wright

The local governorate's office in Hurghada tells the Reuters news agency that six foreigners, whose nationalities are unknown, were killed in the Red Sea submarine incident.

The Russian embassy in Egypt says at least four people were killed, and that all tourists on board were Russian.

4 hours ago11:40 Emily Wright

29 people have reportedly been rescued from the vessel.

Nine others were injured in the incident and four are said to be in a critical condition.

21 ambulances are said to be involved in rescue efforts.

According to the Sindbad Submarines website, the vessel holds 44 passenger seats and two pilot seats.

4 hours ago11:38 Emily Wright

In its statement that confirms all citizens aboard the Sindbad were Russian, the embassy revealed the partially submersible vessel was owned by the hotel of the same name.

The Sindbad Club is one of the most popular and highly-rated hotels in the area.

The vessel is believed to have sunk close to the harbour.

4 hours ago11:36 Emily Wright

4 hours ago11:28 Emily Wright

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 72 ft, sank.

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

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

4 hours ago11:22 Emily Wright

This is not the first incident to occur in the Red Sea.

Last November, 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.

Those who escaped the vessel said a "high sea wave" had hit it and caused it to capsize in "about five or seven minutes", Red Sea Governor, Amr Hanafi, said at the time.

Last month, UK investigators there had been 16 incidents involving "liveaboard" vessels in the area in the last five years, with a number resulting in deaths.

This is not the first incident to occur in the Red Sea. (Image: Getty)

4 hours ago11:19 Emily Wright

Sky's US partner NBC News, citing the Russian embassy in Cairo, reported four Russian citizens had died after the vessel sank near Hurghada.

The submarine was carrying 45 passengers, including children - all Russian nationals, NBC reported.

The embassy told NBC: "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."

It added: "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."

5 hours ago11:10 Emily Wright

The Sindbad submarine has been running tourist trips in the popular Hurghada area for several years.

Among the many tourists who enjoyed a trip in the past on the leisure vessel were members of the Williams Street Family Diaries YouTube channel. A video shared on the platform five months ago provides a unique insight into the submarine.

Find out more here.

Inside of the Sindbad tourist submarine revealed. (Image: Williams Street Family Diaries)

5 hours ago11:07 Emily Wright

Local media reports that a vessel named ‘Sindbad’ sank with around 44 passengers of different nationalities on board. 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.

Its excursions allow visitors to admire Hurghada's underwater life and extensive coral reef at depths of 72ft while staying dry.

5 hours ago11:03 Emily Wright

Hurghada is a coastal city that serves as the largest city and capital of the Red Sea Governorate of Egypt.

It is a beach resort town stretching some 25 miles along the coast. It’s renowned for scuba diving, and has numerous dive shops and schools in its modern Sekalla district. There are many restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

5 hours ago10:58 Emily Wright

This is everything we know about the Hurghada sub incident so far.

- Six are feared dead and at least nine are injured after the sub sank in the Red Sea.

- Hurghada, a city in Egypt, is a popular destination for British and German tourists.

- The cause of the incident has not yet been revealed.

- Local media reports that a vessel named ‘Sindbad’ sank with around 44 passengers of different nationalities on board.

- 21 ambulances have been deployed to the scene to take the injured to hospital.

- Four passengers out of the nine injured are understood to be in critical condition and fighting for their life.

- At least 29 people have been rescued in the moments after the boat sank.

- The group is believed to have paid for a sea trip to inspect the coral reefs in the Red Sea.

- The Red Sea Health Directorate and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority have been placed on maximum alert.

5 hours ago10:54 Charlie Bradley