12 June 2023 , 07:33
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Three missing British passengers who were on a diving boat that burst into flames in Egypt have died.
The guests "perished in the fire" aboard the "Hurricane" dive boat, a spokesman for Scuba Travel confirmed.
"At the time the fire broke out, 12 divers were participating in a briefing on board, while those missing had apparently decided not to dive that morning", a statement from the company read.
A further 12 Brits were rescued - along with 12 Egyptian crew members - and were brought to safety at the nearby diving resort of Marsa Shagra, about 13 miles north of the town of Marsa Alam, according to a statement from the Red Sea State governor’s office and security sources.
According to reports the boat had left Port Ghalib on 6 June and had been due to return on SundayThe company said the three unnamed passengers were among 15 qualified "diving enthusiasts" who were on a week's stay on the boat when the fire broke out at around 6:30am UK time (8:30am Egypt time) yesterday.
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A spokesman said: "It is with great regret that we, as tour operators, 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."
Following an initial examination of the vessel, Egyptian authorities said, "An electrical short circuit in the boat’s engine room sparked the blaze."
A further 12 British nationals were rescued along with 12 Egyptian crew members (A further 12 British nationals were rescued along with 12 Egyptian crew members)The public prosecution office is investigating the blaze.
The fire's intensity meant 12 of the divers were immediately evacuated to another craft nearby and crew members were forced to abandon the ship after trying to reach the missing guests, according to Scuba Travel.
Images posted on social media showed a white motor yacht named Hurricane on fire at sea, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.
The rescue operation of all other people on board was also pictured, with people jumping off the boat into dinghies.
The boat caught fire while some of the passengers were getting ready to go diving (@AsharqNews/Twitter)The "Hurricane" is being towed to a yet-to-be-decided port as it still needs to cool down before entry.
Britain’s Foreign Office said that it was in contact with the Egyptian authorities and is "supporting the British nationals involved."
Fatal boat accidents are relatively uncommon in Egypt. In 2021 a boat capsized in a lake near Egypt‘s Mediterranean city of Alexandria, leaving at least five people dead, including three children.
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In 1991, the Egyptian ferry, Salem Express — sailing from Saudi Arabia to Egypt — sank killing as many as 471 people.
Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story .