Survivors of a tragic dive boat sinking in the Red Sea are alleging that Egyptian authorities exerted pressure on them to sign witness statements they could not understand and misrepresented the situation surrounding the incident. The Sea Story, which sank early on November 25, was carrying 46 individuals when tragedy struck, resulting in the loss of four lives and leaving seven others missing, including two British divers.
Survivors, recounting their experiences to the BBC, reported that they were interrogated about the events leading up to the disaster, often while recovering in hospitals. Some claimed they were interviewed by officials the survivors believed were judges, yet felt uncertain about the legitimacy of the investigation. The inquiry has been framed around an assertion that the Queen Mary was capsized by a massive wave, a claim survivors dispute based on their observations of moderate sea conditions.
The testimonies from the 11 interviewed survivors indicated they were often coerced into agreeing to statements that absolved anyone of "criminal wrongdoing" connected to the vessel's operations. As one survivor, Norwegian police investigator Frøydis Adamson, expressed her alarm over being handed a statement filled with Arabic text she could not read.
Survivors expressed feelings of manipulation, particularly by representatives from Dive Pro Liveaboard, the company operating the Sea Story. They claim these representatives sought to have them sign waivers while still processing their witness statements. Justin Hodges, an American diver, indicated that he was presented with a release form amidst the emotionally taxing circumstances, further complicating their attempts to voice concerns over safety practices aboard the vessel.
Frustration over the handling of the investigation has been compounded by the missing persons case of two British divers, Jenny Cawson and Tarig Sinada, whose families reported frequent miscommunications with authorities about their status. Their friend, Andy Williamson, called for a transparent investigation into the incident, highlighting potential oversight failings within Egypt’s tourism sector.
Investigations into safety practices across dive boats operating in the Red Sea have revealed critical lapses, with experts calling into question the regulatory framework governing tour operations. An independent report by Maritime Survey International previously noted the lack of safety protocols among various local vessels, with none meeting acceptable safety standards.
Calls for accountability and transparency continue to grow as survivors vie to hold the parties responsible for what they deem to be negligence and systemic failure. The incident reflects broader concerns regarding safety in Egypt's tourism sector, particularly within the diving community where regulations and oversight measures appear inadequate.
