Egypt Daily News – The captain of the “Sindbad” tourist submarine, which sank in the Red Sea, revealed the reasons and details behind the incident, saying, “Water entered the submarine before it moved from the marine platform or was even activated,” explaining that “passengers were in the process of boarding.”
Captain Ahmed S., during investigations by the Red Sea Prosecution regarding the accident, stated that he rescued and evacuated many passengers from inside the submarine, adding, “I was the last to leave the submarine after it was flooded, and visibility inside it was lost.” He pointed out that one of his duties was to ensure that passengers were seated properly and to check all aspects before sealing the submarine and starting the trip.
Hossam Salem, the captain’s lawyer, confirmed that his client had repeatedly requested an increase in the crew on the submarine and had also previously asked for maintenance work to be carried out on the submarine, but the company had not responded to his requests.
On Saturday, the Red Sea Prosecution authorized the burial of six victims of the Sindbad submarine sinking in the Red Sea, all of whom were Russian nationals, including two children.
The bodies were handed over to the Russian consulate representative in Hurghada, who coordinated with Egyptian authorities for their repatriation to Russia on a flight. Russian consulate representatives attended at Hurghada General Hospital to oversee the medical examinations and autopsies conducted by forensic authorities under the guidance of the public prosecution, to determine the cause of death and include the findings in the investigation.
The Red Sea Prosecution decided on Friday to release Captain Ahmed S., the captain of the ill-fated Sindbad submarine, on the condition of ensuring his place of residence. The prosecution reviewed all relevant documents and permits related to the submarine and obtained all information related to the trip.
Additionally, the prosecution ordered the submarine to be seized, and a technical committee of maritime inspection engineers was formed to examine the submarine to determine the technical causes behind the sinking. Investigators also requested information from relevant authorities about the incident.
Maritime sources confirmed that the investigation included reviewing the submarine’s maintenance records and consulting maritime technical experts to determine whether the submarine adhered to safety procedures and international operating standards.
Photos obtained of the Sindbad submarine sinking incident revealed that the submarine had not sailed from its platform and sank in its location next to the marine platform from which the trips depart, immediately after passengers boarded. Investigation efforts continued with the crew, engineers, and the captain to understand the cause and circumstances of the incident.
Survivors of the incident, including foreign nationals, described how the submarine had not sailed but began sinking right after passengers boarded. They reported that water began to pour into the submarine through two openings as they entered to take their seats, flooding it as though the submarine had broken apart.
For his part, the Red Sea Governor directed continued coordination with all embassies, consulates, and relevant authorities to facilitate the extraction of necessary documents for the passengers. He praised the rescue teams for completing their task in record time.
Investigations revealed that the submarine had a valid license, the captain had the required academic certifications from the Academy of Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport, and the submarine was owned by an Egyptian national.
The “Sindbad” submarine had been used for tourist trips in Hurghada. The operating company owns two submarines in the Red Sea, among 14 submarines worldwide used for tourist trips, offering visitors a unique experience to view coral reefs and marine life in the depths of the Red Sea.
