Three British divers die in boat fire in Egypt

The lifeboat is picking up 12 divers. Credit: Mohamed Al-Saif/via Reuters

The three were initially reported missing on Sunday, but hopes of their survival faded as rescuers failed to find them by Monday morning.

due to a strong fire, 12 divers were immediately evacuated on the ribs [rigid inflatable boat] to another vessel. nearby, and 14 crew members, including the captain and two dive guides, trying to reach the missing guests, were also forced to leave the ship and were saved edgewise,” the message says.

Nor Scuba Travel, Egyptian authorities have not identified the victims, although local media have speculated that they were two men and a woman.

A Scuba Travel spokesman said many of the surviving tourists left behind all their belongings, such as passports and cars. keys on board.

Initially, authorities blamed the fire on an electrical failure. Credit: Mohamed Al-Saif/via Reuters

They were flown to the coastal city of Hurghada, where the Foreign Office is working to provide emergency travel documents so they can fly back to the UK as soon as possible.

Egyptian authorities launched a full investigation. to the cause of the fire. They initially speculated that «the fire had caused a short circuit in the boat's engine room». Officials are questioning the ship's captain as part of the investigation.

The Red Sea is a popular resort for Europeans, especially divers, due to its access to striking coral reefs.

A Foreign Office spokesman said : «We are in contact with local authorities following the incident aboard the dive boat off Marsa Alam and support the British citizens involved.»