Diver Rescues Nephew as Tourist Boat Capsizes in Red Sea

Khattab al-Faramawy, an Egyptian diver, shared his harrowing experience of rescuing his 23-year-old nephew Youssef from a capsized tourist boat in the Red Sea. As search operations continue, 33 out of the 44 passengers have been rescued, while seven remain missing, including British nationals.

An intense and heart-wrenching rescue operation unfolded in the Red Sea after a tourist boat capsized, leaving many stranded beneath the waves. Egyptian diver Khattab al-Faramawy played a crucial role in the rescue efforts, ultimately locating his own nephew, Youssef, trapped yet alive within the submerged vessel.

On Tuesday, search teams discovered five survivors amid the wreckage and sadly retrieved four bodies. As of the latest updates, seven individuals remain unaccounted for from the ill-fated excursion. "We dived 12 meters under water—the survivors were trapped inside the boat cabins," al-Faramawy recounted in an interview with BBC. The survivors had endured more than 24 hours submerged after the boat was overturned by a powerful wave near Marsa Alam, located along Egypt's eastern shoreline, on Monday.

The complexities involved in the rescue effort were overwhelming for the divers. "We were using torch lights to navigate through the darkness. It was quite a complicated mission," al-Faramawy explained. Through determination and skill, rescuers ultimately managed to pry open the cabin doors, freeing those held captive in the wreckage.

Among the liberated was Youssef, who worked as a diving instructor on the vessel. His father, Hussam al-Faramawy, shared the anxiety he felt while waiting for news. "I could only pray that God would help my boy," he confessed, overwhelmed with joy upon learning of his son’s safety. Youssef is currently receiving care in a local hospital, alongside other rescued individuals. So far, 33 of the 44 passengers aboard the Sea Story have been saved.

Officials have yet to share the names of the deceased and missing individuals; however, reports indicate that two of the missing tourists are British nationals. The Egyptian navy has taken command of the rescue operation, while local authorities continue to manage the situation and limit media access to survivors. Videos released capture the emotional moment survivors, wrapped in blankets, are brought to shore, with one survivor noting how he was "shaking from the cold" prior to rescue.

The Sea Story, measuring 44 meters in length, embarked on a five-day diving adventure from a port near Marsa Alam on Sunday. Bad weather conditions, characterized by strong winds, were reported shortly after their departure, causing the vessel to sink rapidly, within a mere five to seven minutes, according to Red Sea Governor Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had previously issued warnings on Sunday and Monday against maritime activities due to expected high waves.

While authorities assure that the boat held a valid safety certification and appeared to have no technical issues, the tragedy reveals the risks associated with excursions in these popular tourist hotspots. Marsa Alam is especially favored by visitors from Europe, drawn in by its stunning marine life and crystal-clear waters.

Among those onboard were tourists from various countries, including Belgium, the UK, China, Finland, Germany, and more. The Polish government has confirmed that two of its nationals remain missing, while the UK Foreign Office has announced it is providing assistance to affected British citizens. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy reported that two of its nationals are currently safe and were among those rescued.