Three missing Brits confirmed dead after horror boat fire in Egypt

Three British tourists who went missing after an Egyptian diving boat caught fire have died, a tour operator has confirmed. Scuba Travel, who chartered the boat, announced that the three Brits had ‘perished in the tragic incident’ which took place off the coast of Marsa Alam yesterday morning. Footage on social media showed the tour boat transform into a floating inferno as its stern was engulfed by flames, producing plumes of black smoke while it was off the Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea.

Video showed terrified passengers jumping from the ship, which had 29 people on board at the time, into the water to escape after a suspected electrical fault in the engine room. A spokesman for Scuba Travel confirmed to MailOnline today: ‘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.’ 

The tour boat company said that the three passengers were among 15 qualified diving enthusiasts who were on board the ‘Hurricane’ boat for a week-long trip when the fire broke out at around 6.30am UK time. ‘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,’ the company added. Scuba Travel said that due to to the severity of the blaze, 12 divers were evacuated immediately to a nearby craft, while the 14 crew members had to abandon the ship after trying to reach the missing guests. 

In total, 26 passengers were rescued, 12 British and the other 14 thought to be Egyptian. Local police said the people rescued had no injuries and were in good health. Cops said the crew rescued suffered no injuries and were taken to shore in good health. A full investigation is set to be carried out by local authorities to determine what caused the fire, while the boat itself cools down ahead of being towed to a port. The cruiser left Port Ghalib in the eastern city of Marsa Alam on June 6, and was meant to return yesterday.

It was said to be one of the Tornado Marine Fleet tours, which offers ‘Luxury Red Sea Liveaboards’ for just under £1,500 ($1,889) per trip. A Foreign Office spokesman said yesterday: ‘We are in contact with local authorities following an incident aboard a dive boat near Marsa Alam, and are supporting British nationals involved.’ MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for an updated comment. 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.’ 

It added: ‘[The Secretary General] pointed out that 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 diving enthusiast who was on the same ship in May, said the boat was plagued with problems and no one was surprised the blaze had happened. He told MailOnline: ‘[We had] recurring issues from the week of 1 and 8 May. There was no nitrox on board. They should have had it but they never told us. The toilets and the showers weren’t working properly.’ 

He added: ‘There was some issue below the decks. They were pumping something out but it was coming up my toilet. The crew work very hard – they don’t get paid a lot – but the boat has seen better days. I was in cabin six in the bow so I wouldn’t have wanted to get out from there. None of us are surprised that [the blaze] happened.’

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