In brief
An Egyptian diver shares his harrowing experience of locating and rescuing his nephew from a capsized tourist boat in the Red Sea, as search efforts continue for the missing.
Khattab al-Faramawy, an Egyptian diver, has shared the emotional experience of rescuing his nephew, Youssef, from the wreckage of a tourist boat that sank in the Red Sea. As authorities confirmed the search for the missing continues, Khattab detailed how he located Youssef, who, despite being trapped, was alive.The tragedy unfolded when the Sea Story sunk on Monday after being struck by a large wave near Marsa Alam, leaving five survivors and claiming four lives so far. On the third day of the search, officials confirmed that seven people were unaccounted for."We dived 12 meters to reach the submerged vessel, where survivors were trapped in the boat's cabins," stated Khattab, reflecting on the challenge of navigating the dark, flooded interiors of the four-deck boat. Using flashlights to guide their way, the rescuers successfully opened the cabin doors, allowing for evacuations.Among the survivors was 23-year-old Youssef, who had been attempting to rescue passengers before he became trapped in a cabin. In a heartfelt phone call, his father, Hussam al-Faramawy, expressed his relief: "I could do nothing but pray to God to help my boy... He is safe now, and I am incredibly thankful." Hussam had refrained from informing Youssef’s mother about the incident until he knew for certain that his son was safe.Currently recuperating in a local hospital, Youssef is one of the 33 people out of 44 on board the vessel who were rescued. The identities of the deceased and those still missing have not yet been released. However, reports suggest that two among the missing could be British nationals.The Egyptian navy has been overseeing the ongoing rescue operations while local authorities have released videos showing survivors being brought to shore, wrapped in blankets and receiving immediate medical attention. One survivor expressed his ordeal, describing how he had "been shaking with cold" before being rescued.The 44-meter-long Sea Story had set off for a five-day diving expedition just a day before the incident but was struck by rough winds, causing it to sink within just minutes, according to the Red Sea governor, Maj-Gen Amr Hanafi. Official warnings had been issued regarding high waves accompanying the inclement weather over the preceding days.Despite the tragedy, diving tours and maritime activities remain a popular draw for tourists to Egypt's Red Sea resorts, particularly in Marsa Alam, known for its excellent diving conditions and rich marine biodiversity. Among the tourists onboard were individuals from several countries, including Belgium, the UK, China, Finland, Germany, and the US.As the search intensifies, families are left anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones, while officials continue to offer support to those affected by this heartbreaking incident.
