Cairo, June 12 (BNA): Egyptian officials and security sources said that three British tourists are missing and 12 people were rescued after a motor boat caught fire off the coast of the Egyptian Red Sea.
The survivors were taken to safety at the nearby diving resort of Marsa Shaqra, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) north of the city of Marsa Alam, along with 12 crew members and Egyptian guides, according to a statement from the Red Sea state governor’s office and two others. Reuters quoted security sources.
The statement said the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit on the boat, which was named Hurricane and had been on a voyage since June 6 in the northern area of Marsa Alam.
Pictures posted on social media showed a white yacht of the same name ablaze in the sea, with thick smoke billowing into the sky.
“We saw smoke from the boat, it was about 9 kilometers from the shore,” said Ahmed Maher, diving director in Marsa Shakra village. A nearby boat rescued them and put them down.”
The British Foreign Office said it was in contact with local authorities about the incident and supporting the citizens involved.
MI
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