A tourist boat named the Sea Story, carrying 44 people (including 13 crew members), has sunk in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt. As of now, 16 individuals remain missing, among them some foreign nationals. The boat sent out a distress signal at 5:30 AM local time on Sunday, and rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate those unaccounted for. So far, 28 people have been rescued, including several foreigners, and they are currently receiving medical care.

Authorities have reported that the missing individuals include two British nationals, one Finnish national, and four Egyptians. The Finnish foreign ministry has confirmed that one of its citizens is among the missing. The UK Foreign Office has stated that it is providing assistance to several British nationals and their families following the incident. Additionally, the Chinese embassy in Egypt has reported that two of its citizens were rescued and are in good health.

The cause of the sinking is still under investigation, but survivors have reported that the boat was struck by a large wave, which led to its capsizing. Weather forecasts had previously warned against marine activities in the area due to strong winds and high waves. Major General Amr Hanafi, the Red Sea Governor, has emphasized that rescue efforts are ongoing, involving the Egyptian Navy and military aircraft.

This incident has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of tourist boats in the Red Sea, a popular destination for travelers. Just last year, three British citizens died off the coast of Marsa Alam when their dive boat caught fire. Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation into the current incident, and the owner and operator of the Sea Story, Dive Pro Liveaboard, has not yet commented.