Missing Britons are presumed dead after boat fire – tour operator

The tour operator for a dive boat trip in the Egyptian Red Sea has stated that three British tourists who went missing after a fire on the boat are presumed to have died.

Scuba Travel issued a statement confirming that the families of the tourists have been informed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Authorities have reported that 26 other individuals, including 12 Britons, were successfully rescued from the vessel named Hurricane.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fire, which began at 06:30 local time on Sunday, was sparked by an electrical malfunction.

The Foreign Office has not yet confirmed the fatalities. However, a spokesperson from the Foreign Office previously stated that support was being provided to British nationals involved in the incident.

The boat had departed from Port Ghalib on June 6th and was scheduled to return on Sunday.

“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,” said the statement from Scuba Travel.

“Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to their families and friends at this very sad time.”

The statement said the 12 Britons on board had been present at an early-morning briefing on Sunday and the three others who went missing were not as they had “apparently decided not to dive” that morning. 

All of those on board were described as “qualified diving enthusiasts”.