In brief
An Egyptian diver, Khattab al-Faramawy, has described the intense rescue operation that led him to find his own nephew alive on a capsized tourist boat in the Red Sea. This emotionally charged incident occurred after the boat sank due to severe weather, resulting in multiple casualties.
Al-Faramawy and his team were diving 12 meters below the surface to locate passengers trapped inside the wreck of the Sea Story, which sunk near Marsa Alam. Rescuers discovered five survivors and four bodies, with seven individuals still unaccounted for after three days of searching. "We dived 12m under water; the survivors were trapped inside the boat cabins," he shared with the BBC, detailing the mission to locate those in need while navigating the perilous conditions.One of the survivors, his 23-year-old nephew Youssef, a diving instructor, managed to endure over 24 hours locked inside a cabin. His father Hussam expressed his emotional relief and grief during a phone call. "I could do nothing but pray to God to help my boy, and thankfully his uncle finally saved him," he said. After receiving the good news, Hussam had to control his emotions, not wanting to worry Youssef's mother until the situation stabilized.Youssef is now in a local hospital alongside other survivors, as efforts continue to account for the missing. A total of 33 people from the boat were rescued, with reports indicating that two British nationals are among those unaccounted for. The Egyptian navy oversees the ongoing rescue efforts, limiting media access to the survivors, while local authorities have shared rescue videos showing the emotional aftermath.The Sea Story had set off on a five-day diving excursion and reportedly sank quickly after being struck by strong waves. Egyptian meteorologists had previously warned tourists about dangerous maritime conditions just before the incident. The vessel possessed a valid safety certificate, and the authorities confirmed it had no apparent technical issues.Diving excursions are significant attractions for tourists in Egypt's Red Sea resorts, particularly Marsa Alam, popular for its rich marine biodiversity. Among the passengers were tourists from several countries, including Belgium, the UK, China, and Poland. While some concerned foreign ministries have confirmed the status of their nationals, the investigation continues into identifying the victims and those missing in this tragic event.
