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The cause of the sinking was not immediately known. The Russian
consulate said it took place about 1,000 meters (0.6 miles)
offshore.
The submarine was carrying 45 tourists and five Egyptian
crewmembers when it sank, Red Sea governor Maj. Gen. Amr Hanafi,
said in a statement, adding that rescue teams were quickly sent.
He said all six dead were Russians, and that 29 of the 39
tourists rescued were injured and taken to hospitals. No one was
still missing from the vessel, he said.
Hurghada is a major destination for divers, snorkelers and other
tourists drawn by the Red Sea's extensive coral reefs.
The submarine, named “Sindbad,” runs tours lasting about 40
minutes underwater, cruising at about 20-25 meters (65-80 feet)
underwater with panoramic windows on the bottom to give views of
the marine life, according to the website of the company that
the Russian consulate identified as running the vessel.
The company did not respond to phone calls seeking comment.
Russia’s Tass news agency earlier said the Russian dead included
at least two children, citing the country's consul in Hurghada.
The consulate had said all 45 tourists on board were Russian,
but the Egyptian governor said they also included Indian,
Norwegian and Swedish citizens.
Footage posted by the governor's office showed Hanafy meeting
survivors at the hospital, including two Egyptian crewmembers.
One Russian tourist had a small bandage on his head. A family
with two young daughters smiled and told him they were OK. An
Indian man asked Hanafy to see his daughter, who remains in
critical condition, doctors can be heard explaining.
In November, a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea after warnings
of rough waters, Egyptian officials said. At least four people
drowned, while 33 were rescued.
Tourism is an important sector of Egypt's economy but many
tourist companies have stopped or limited traveling on the Red
Sea due to the dangers from conflicts in the region.
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