Six Russian tourists died when a tourist submarine sank in the Red Sea near Hurghada, Egypt, on March 28, 2025. The incident occurred around 10:00 local time, and while 39 people were rescued, nine sustained injuries, with four in critical condition.
- Six Russian tourists died in submarine incident.
- Thirty-nine people rescued; nine injured.
- Investigation ongoing; cause still unknown.
- Previous incident left 11 missing in November.
- Sindbad Submarines offers coral reef tours.
- Safety measures reportedly included pre-trip briefings.
The submarine, named Sinbad, had been operating as a tourist vessel for several years, offering underwater tours to explore coral reefs. The Red Sea governor, Amr Hanafy, confirmed that the passengers included individuals from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, along with five Egyptian crew members. The six fatalities included two children and two married doctors, whose daughters are currently hospitalized.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, with preliminary reports suggesting that the submarine may have struck a reef, leading to a loss of pressure at a depth of 20 meters (65 feet). This incident marks the second occurrence involving a tourist vessel in the Red Sea in recent months, following a boat capsizing near Marsa Allam in November 2024, which left 11 people missing.
Sindbad Submarines, the company operating the vessel, offers tours that allow passengers to dive up to 25 meters (82 feet) underwater. Dr. James Aldridge, who took a similar trip in February 2025, described the submarine as well-maintained and noted that passengers received a safety briefing before the dive. However, he mentioned that life jackets were not provided during the trip.
The tragic sinking of the Sinbad submarine highlights ongoing safety concerns for tourist vessels in the Red Sea. As investigations continue, authorities aim to determine the factors that led to this incident and improve safety measures for future excursions.
