A tourist submarine sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast early Thursday, leading to a tragic accident. As a result, six people lost their lives, while 19 others suffered injuries.

Soon after the incident, authorities quickly responded and rescued 29 passengers, according to local sources who spoke to the BBC. Meanwhile, emergency teams rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. However, four remain in critical condition.

At the same time, the state-owned newspaper Akhbar Al-Youm reported that all the victims were foreigners. Consequently, officials have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. In addition, the Russian Embassy in Egypt confirmed that all the tourists on board were Russian citizens.

Submarine Details

The submarine, Sinbad, had 40 people on board when it sank. It had been operating in Hurghada’s waters for several years. Notably, passengers could dive 25 meters (82 feet) below the surface to explore “500 metres of coral reef and its marine inhabitants.”

According to Sindbad Submarines’ website, “It offers 44 passenger seats - two pilots’ seats and a sizable round viewing window for each passenger.”

Hurghada’s Tourism and the Red Sea

Hurghada, located about 460 kilometers (285 miles) southeast of Cairo, is a major tourist destination. As a result, many visitors travel there to experience the coral reefs and islands.

Moreover, tourism plays a vital role in Egypt’s economy. Specifically, the industry employs two million people and contributes more than 10 percent of the country’s GDP.

Additionally, many boats operate in the area daily, offering snorkeling and diving trips. Furthermore, Akhbar Al-Youm reported that the Sindbad company owns the submarine. The company claims to operate the region’s “only real” recreational submarine. Besides that, it says it owns two of the world’s 14 tourist submarines.

For now, officials continue working to determine the cause of the disaster.