At least six people are feared dead after a tourist submarine carrying 44 people sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt.
A major rescue operation has been launched after the watercraft, named Sindbad, sunk while sailing near Hurghada.
According to reports, at least six people have died and nine others are injured, four of whom are in a critical condition. Rescuers are said to have saved 29 people.
Live updates below
Local officials confirm six fatalities
Authorities in Hurghada have confirmed to Reuters news agency that six people have died.
The number is the same as the first reports of the tragedy coming out with Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm also publishing pictures of the boat.
The Russian embassy in Cairo has said four Russians have died.
Breaking:Russian embassy claims all tourists are citizens
Initial reports stated the tourists on board the Sinbad were of ‘different nationalities’.
But the Russian embassy in Cairo has told NBC that everyone on board was a Russian citizen.
Officials said children were among the passengers on the vessel when it crashed 1km off the shore of Hurghada at around 10am local time.
In a statement to NBC, the embassy said:
On March 27, at about 10:00, the Sindbad bathyscaphe, owned by the hotel of the same name, crashed 1km off the shore.
In addition to the crew, there were 45 tourists on board, including minors. All of them are Russian citizens.
Most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada. Their health condition is not a concern. Four people died. The fate of several tourists is being clarified
Pictures: Inside the Sindbad submarine
Here are some pictures of inside the Sindbad submarine taken on an underwater excusion.
Passengers who go onbaoard the water craft are taken to see Egypt’s coral reefs and tropical fish at depths of up to 72ft.
Four Russians among dead – report
NBC News, citing the Russian embassy in Cairo, is reporting that four Russian citizens are among the dead.
We will continue to bring you more updates as and when we can.
Hurghada – the popular tourist resort with a history of accidents
Hurghada is a popular beach resort stretching some 40km along Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The destination is popular with British and German visitors and several nautical jaunts operate from the coast.
It also has a history of tourist boat accidents.
In November last year, a tourist boat named Sea Story sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The boat sank near Shaab Satayah, a coral reef popular for diving trips, off the tourist resort of Marsa Alam in the early hours of November 25.
Last month, UK investigators said there had been 16 incidents involving ‘liveaboard”‘ vessels in the area in the last five years, a number of which had resulted in deaths.
What we know about Sindbad – the tourist submarine
Sindbad – the tourist submarine which has sunk in the Red Sea, has been operating trips in Hurghada for several years.
According to the operator, Sharm Hurghada Excursions, the underwater tour is three-hours long and costs £68 per adult ticket, and £35 for children.
The company boasts its excursions allow visitors to admire Hurghada’s underwater life and extensive coral reef, enjoy a diving experience while staying dry, and see life underwater at a depth of 72ft.
It also claims it holds two of the only ’14 real recreational submarines’ in the world.
The website for Sindbad Submarines continues: ‘It offers 44 passenger seats – two pilots’ seats and a sizable round viewing window for each passenger.’
The cause and circumstance of the sinking have not yet been confirmed or reported.
Key information after tourist submarine sinks in Red Sea
Six people are reported to have died after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Egypt.
Details are continuing to emerge but here’s what you need to know:
A tourist submarine, named Sindbad, had been carrying 44 passengers at the time of the sinking as it sailed off the coast of Hurghada
According to reports, six people have died, a further nine are injured, four of whom critically, and 29 people have so far been rescued
Some 21 ambulances have been dispatched to the scene of the accident, and have been transporting the injured to local hospitals due to the severity of their conditions.
The Red Sea Security Directorate received a report of the tourist submarine sinking, which took place close to the harbour in front of the marina of a ‘famous hotel’ that has not yet been named
Passengers had been out on a sea trip to see Egypt’s coral reefs and tropical fish before the vessel, which can reportedly dive to depths of up to 72ft, sank
Breaking:Top story: 44 passengers on board submarine as it sank
Six people have reportedly died after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Egypt.
A further nine have been left injured in the incident, with four in critical condition, according to local reports.
The tourist submarine, named Sindbad, had been carrying 44 passengers at the time of the sinking on Thursday, as it sailed off the coast of Hurghada.
Read our breaking news story here:
Six feared dead after tourist submarine sinks in Red Sea
Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage as it emerges six people are believed to have died as a result of a tourist submarine sinking in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast.
The boat, named Sindbad, was reportedly carrying 44 people of different nationalities when it sank near Hurghada.
Six people are reported to have died with a further nine injured, four of whom said to be critically.
Rescue services have so far managed to save 29 people, reports Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm.
Stick with us as we bring you the latest updates on this developing news story.
