Tourist submarine sinks off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, killing at least six people, state media say

Investigations were underway to determine what caused the accident, according to the newspaper, which said the injured were transported to nearby hospitals along with the bodies of the deceased.

Hurghada, a bustling tourist city some 285 miles southeast of the Egyptian capital Cairo, is a major destination for visitors to Egypt.

The Red Sea coral reefs and islands off Egypt’s eastern coast are major draws, contributing to the country’s vital tourism sector which employs two million people and generates more than 10 percent of GDP.

While dozens of tourist boats sail through the coastal area daily for snorkeling and diving activities, the website of Sindbad Submarines, the vessel owner according to Akhbar Al-Youm, said the company deploys the region’s “only real” recreational submarine.

The Reuters news agency cited the Russian consulate in Hurghada as saying the tourists on the sunken vessel were Russian nationals.