Three UK divers dead after huge blaze engulfs tour boat on Red Sea
Three British tourists were killed during a luxury scuba diving trip in Egypt’s Red Sea after their tour boat burst into flames.
Dramatic videos from early Sunday show the two-story ship, “Hurricane,” completely engulfed, with black smoke billowing out over the Elphinstone Reef near Marsa Alam.
At least one person was seen leaping into the water as inflatable boats rescued the 12 other divers and 14 crew members onboard.
“Look, these oxygen tanks are exploding,” one person gasped during one clip. “The boat has gone.”
The three who died had decided not to dive that morning — leaving them trapped inside the blaze, which local authorities believe was sparked by an apparent electrical short circuit.
The other 12 tourists, all “qualified diving enthusiasts” from the UK, were attending a pre-dive briefing and were able to escape safely on inflatable rescue boats.
Some of the crew tried to rescue the trapped tourists before finally abandoning ship.
All of those rescued escaped with minimal injuries, authorities said.
The dead divers have not been identified.
They had been on the boat since Tuesday as part of a luxury trip arranged by UK-based Scuba Travel.
“It is with great regret that we, as tour operator, with heavy hearts, must accept that three of our much-valued dive guests perished in the tragic incident,” a spokesman for the firm told The Times of London.
“Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to their families and friends at this very sad time.”
An initial investigation suggested that “an electrical short circuit in the boat’s engine room sparked the blaze,” local authorities said, while promising a full investigation.
The UK’s Foreign Office confirmed that it has “been in contact with local authorities” and was “supporting British nationals involved.”
Accprding to the UK Times, the deadly blaze came on the last day of the group’s trip. The survivors are expected to be flown home Monday.
The stricken vessel was around 120-feet long with a “stable and luxurious dive platform,” 11 twin cabins, a bar and a spa, according to the UK Times.
Fatal boat accidents are relatively uncommon in Egypt.
In 2021 a boat capsized in a lake near Egypt’s Mediterranean city of Alexandria, leaving at least five people dead, including three children.
In 1991, the Egyptian ferry, Salem Express — sailing from Saudi Arabia to Egypt — sank killing as many as 471 people, mostly Muslim pilgrims.
With Post wires
