Dozens of vacationers lacking as boat sinks ‘throughout five-day diving journey’ off Egyptian coast

Dozens of tourists are missing after a boat sank off the Egyptian coast. 

The boat named Sea Story reportedly sank near Shaab Satayah, a popular diving destination, off the tourist resort of Marsa Alam.

A crew member sent a distress signal at 5.30am this morning, local media reports.

The boat departed on a diving trip from the port of Ghalib in Marsa Alam on November 24 and was scheduled to arrive at Hurghada Marina on November 29.

It had 31 tourists of different nationalities as well as 14 crew members on board. 

A search operation involving the Egyptian navy is ongoing. A helicopter has been deployed to scour the area.

Red Sea governor Amr Hanafy said several tourists were rescued, but has not revealed how many are still missing.  

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.