Relatives of a British couple missing after a tourist boat capsized in Egypt’s Red Sea have criticised the country’s authorities as well as the UK Foreign Office for a lack of information. The pair are among seven people who have not yet been accounted for after the four-deck Sea Story sank in stormy weather. Rescuers saved 33 passengers; four bodies were also recovered. The boat was carrying tourists from several countries, including Belgium, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland and the US. There is so far no indication of what caused the ship to capsize.
The family of Tariq Sinada, 49, and Jenny Cawson, 36, from Devon, said they had turned to local sources in Egypt for news. The couple, both experienced scuba divers, contacted their families with a picture of the boat they were on when they arrived. “We were just in disbelief, it’s one of those moments when the world stops,” said Cawson’s father, Michael Williams. The British Foreign Office confirmed it had assisted UK nationals and their families since the incident.
Local authorities have denied a technical error caused the accident and said the ship had passed all relevant safety checks. The navy has taken a lead role in rescue operations, with all survivors kept away from the press. Questions have arisen over whether the incident will impact the tourist industry in the area. The Red Sea is renowned for diving sites and the area is popular with European visitors. Sinada, an IT professional, and Cawson, who works for the wildlife trust in Devon, had travelled together on scuba diving holidays overseas before.
Marsa Alam, near where the accident took place, is on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast and attracts tourists to its world-famous coral reefs. Passengers were travelling from Marsa Allam on the five-day trip to Hurghada, another popular resort. The boat was reported to have been hit by a larger wave when it sank. The Sea Story recently resumed operations after being docked due to the pandemic. No official statement has been made yet about ending the search for those still missing.
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