It has been confirmed that three British divers missing after fire broke out onboard the Red Sea scuba diving liveaboard MV Hurricane have died, according to a statement from tour operator Scuba Travel, which had chartered the boat.
AÂ spokesperson for Scuba Travel said in a statement: ‘It is with great regret that we, as tour operator, with heavy hearts, must accept that three of our much-valued dive guests perished in the tragic incident.’
‘Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to their families and friends at this very sad time.’
Scuba Travel said that there were 15 certified divers on board the vessel – all British – when the fire broke out during the dive briefing at around 8:30 am local time (6:30 am UK time). The three divers – who were initially reported as ‘missing’ – had decided not to dive that morning.
The 12 divers present during the briefing abandoned ship and were transported by RIB to another nearby boat, MV Blue, followed by the 14 Egyptian crew and dive guides. The divers were subsequently transported to Marsha Shagra to receive medical attention.
A total of 29 people were believed to be on the boat, which was on the final day of its trip after departing from Port Ghalib, Marsa Alam, on 6 June. The dive at Elphinstone Reef would have been the last of the trip before Hurricane returned to port.
Footage shared on social media shows the Hurricane, one of the Tornado Marine Fleet’s most popular liveaboards, engulfed in flames.
Following the news of the incident first spreading on Sunday morning, a spokesperson from the Red Sea Governorate said: ‘The initial examination resulted in an electrical short circuit in the engine room, and the investigation authorities went to conduct an inspection and investigation.’
Prior to news of the divers’ deaths, the Sunday statement continued: ‘The crew and passengers were rescued by the boat named Blue and returned to central Marsa Alam, and a search is still underway for three British passengers by the concerned authorities and other boats, stressing that the Ambulance Authority and the Directorate of Health Affairs have been notified to raise the level of readiness and follow-up is underway.’
A spokesperson for the UK FCDO said: ‘We are in contact with local authorities following an incident aboard a dive boat near Marsa Alam, and are supporting British nationals involved.’
