The crew questioned after six tourists killed

The Egyptian authorities question the crew of a tourist submarine that sank into the Red Sea, killing six of the 45 passengers on board.

39 other passengers and five crews were saved on Thursday After the Shinbad ship, which is based on about 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT), employees say. Nine people were injured, including four critical.

The group was aboard the sightseeing court, watching coral reefs from the resort town of Hergada.

Two children were among the six Russian tourists killed, Russian media reported. The cause of the incident is still unclear.

The shingle has been working as a tourist submarine for several years.

Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi said 45 shingbad passengers are from Russia, India, Norway and Sweden. Five Egyptian crew members were also on board.

Hanafi said the six who died are all Russian, but the full details of the victims have not yet been released.

Two married doctors were among the dead and their daughters were in hospital, authorities said.

Hanafi said that the participating submarine has a valid license and the crew manager received the right “scientific certificates”.

The incident investigation continues. The Russian Tour Operators Association said the submarine hit the Telegram Post and subsequently lost pressure while 20 meters deep (65 feet).

Russian tourists play a growing role in the tourism sector of Egypt – a rescue line for the sick economy of the country.

The town of Hergada is located southeast of Cairo – a tourist destination known for its beaches and coral reefs.

The submarine was equipped with large openings to allow passengers to see the spectacular corals of the Red Sea and the marine life and managed to descend to a depth of 25 meters (82 feet), according to the Sindbad Submarines website.

Dr. James Aldridge of Bristol took the same trip to the submarine in February 2025. He told the BBC: “The submarine was well maintained and was shown in promotional photos.

“Fresh paint, modern equipment and with careful and professional English -language staff (including two divers to accompany you).”

He explained that passengers listened to a safety briefing that was recorded in several languages, and said the rescue vests had not been issued.

“We toured the reef in 40 minutes. For the first 20 I was facing the reef, the subgroup never deviated” too close “and never felt dangerous.

“I was facing the ocean to return the trip,” he added.

This is the second incident in the Red Sea in about six months.

Last November, a boat called The maritime history, carrying more than 40 people, also sank near the Egyptian resort of Mars Alamwith 11 people who are not reported or are assumed to be dead.

The reasons for this last tragedy are not yet clear. But the frequency of such incidents raises major questions about safety measures used by local authorities in such popular tourist excursion areas and whether or not proper safety checks are carried out.