What was meant to be a dazzling underwater adventure turned into a nightmarish descent into chaos when a tourist submarine off Egypt’s stunning Red Sea coast plunged into disaster—killing six, injuring nine, and leaving terrified survivors gasping for answers.
The ill-fated dive, which occurred on March 27, 2025, near the sun-drenched resort town of Hurghada, quickly spiraled into a catastrophe that stunned both locals and international authorities.
A view of the Red Sea near the site where the Sindbad tourist submarine sank off Hurghada, Egypt, on March 27, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Deadly Descent: 45 Tourists, a Reef Collision, and a Vessel That Never Returned
According to Russian outlet Mash, the bathyscaphe, packed with 45 tourists, suddenly lost control and crashed into a reef, triggering a catastrophic capsize and depressurization that proved fatal for six people onboard.
Most of the dead were Russian nationals staying at the nearby Serry Beach Resort, having booked the excursion through tour operator Biblio Globus. What began as a leisurely hotel transfer to the pier and a descent to a shallow 22 meters below the sea’s surface quickly unraveled into chaos.
And now, the spotlight is on Sindbad Submarines, the operator whose promise of “lasting memories” became a living nightmare for dozens of vacationers.
“Some Managed to Swim Out, Some Didn’t”: Survivor’s Chilling Account Reveals Panic Inside Sinking Sub
Elena Boldareva, one of the lucky few who escaped with her life, delivered a harrowing firsthand account of the moments before the Sindbad vessel went under.
“Some managed to swim out, some didn’t,” she said, confirming that she and her husband managed to escape as the sub sank at the landing pontoon. “The vessel began its descent before its hatches were fully closed,” she claimed.
Water rushed in, chaos erupted, and families were left fighting for their lives underwater.
In a report released at 12:28 p.m. local time, the outlet confirmed that at least six people are feared dead.
Nine others were reported injured, with four individuals listed in critical condition and rushed to nearby medical facilities. Of the 40 tourist passengers believed to be on board, 29 were rescued.
Her daughter and mother were among the 39 rescued, though at least one child remains in serious condition in the hospital. She described how passengers tried desperately to save themselves while quick-thinking tourists from nearby boats rushed to pull victims from the sea.
Confusion, Conflicting Reports, and Calm Seas: What REALLY Happened That Morning?
At 12:28 p.m. local time, the BBC reported that at least six people were feared dead, with nine injured—four of them critically—after the submarine sank early Thursday morning off Hurghada’s coast.
A mere two minutes later, the vessel was identified as Sindbad, a familiar sight in the area and long known for its “immersive aquatic adventures.”
The company’s official website boasts of “enriching encounters” and promises to create “lasting impressions”—but the only impression left on that March morning was one of panic, tragedy, and unanswered questions.
Police at the Hospital, Ambulances at the Pier, and Still No Answers
By 3:11 p.m., new images emerged showing police stationed outside the Egyptian Hospital, where the wounded were being treated.
Shortly after, at 3:31 p.m., the BBC addressed speculation surrounding weather conditions, confirming that the sea was calm—with wind speeds of only 5 mph, wave heights of just 0.2 meters, and no low clouds.
The tranquil weather has only deepened the mystery. If the sea was calm, then what exactly caused this trusted vessel to sink without warning?
A view showing the calm weather conditions of the Red Sea near where the Sindbad tourist submarine sunk in Hurghada, Egypt on March 27, 2025. | Source: Getty Images
A Sea of Sirens and Silent Questions
Eyewitnesses on land painted a scene of frantic emergency response.
A tourist staying at the nearby Sindbad Club told the BBC:“We heard the ambulance sirens which lasted a long time and there are still at least three ambulances at the harbour [sic].”
A view of boats on the Red Sea near where the Sindbad tourist submarine sunk. | Source: Getty Images
Visuals captured by Al-Masry Al-Youm, an Egyptian news outlet, showed a fleet of ambulances and rescue vessels clustered near the scene.
Their translated report highlighted the massive scale of the response but also confirmed the one detail that remains agonizingly unclear. “The causes and circumstances of the accident have not yet been revealed,” it read.
Diverging Death Tolls and Diplomatic Confusion
By late afternoon, the death toll became a source of confusion, as Russia’s consul general in Hurghada, Viktor Voropaev, confirmed that five Russian nationals—including two children—had perished. This contradicted earlier embassy statements, which reported only four fatalities.
In a formal statement, the Russian Embassy in Cairo clarified that the victims were clients of Biblio Globus, and that diplomats had rushed to the Sindbad hotel pier to offer direct support.
They emphasized that most of the rescued were in stable condition, but added that several identities were still being verified. They also corrected previous figures, stating there had actually been 45 tourists onboard, not 40.
Governor Confirms Death Toll as Grieving Families Await Answers
By evening, Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy reportedly addressed the public directly via Facebook, confirming that six tourists had lost their lives while 39 others were rescued.
Hanafy assured the public that no individuals remain unaccounted for — a detail that brings a measure of closure to a day marked by uncertainty. He added that an official investigation is now underway to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Governor Hanafy praised the heroic efforts of rescue teams and promised continued coordination with embassies and relevant authorities as the probe unfolds.
A Resort Town in Mourning—and a Mystery That Haunts the Sea
As darkness fell over the sun-splashed coastline of Hurghada, the waters that once drew tourists in with promises of colorful reefs and tranquil dives now held secrets too dark to fathom.
A second Sindbad submarine, seen docked nearby in post-tragedy photos, remained untouched—a silent and chilling reminder of the vessel that never surfaced.
And as families mourn, survivors recover, and investigators search for clues, the world is left asking:
How could this happen in calm waters—on a routine dive—with trusted equipment?
