French Cruise Ship Sinks in Red Sea, Egypt
By Aiswarya Lakshmi
Friday, August 21, 2015
Nearly 40 tourists rescued by Egyptian authorities as a passenger boat sinks in the Red Sea near Marsa Alam in southern Egypt.
The boat carrying 26 French tourists and 10 Egyptians hit coral reefs before it sank off the Red Sea coast - one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Egypt. According to state-media, the boat hit coral reefs during its cruise, after it sailed from Port Ghaleb.
The crew sent a distress alert and all of the tourists and the 10 crew members were rescued, according to the state-news agency, which cited a security official who confirmed that no one was harmed and everyone returned safely to their residences at the port in Safaga.
The spot in the Red Sea where the accident took place is famous for its coral reefs and year-long warm waters, which attract many diving enthusiasts. Egypt is hoping to increase French tourism to Egypt during the winter season in areas such as Luxor and Aswan.
The tourism industry was already took a down turn, since the revolts in 2011 which political deterioration and attacks by Islamist militant groups. The Egyptian government has since been working on rebuilding tourism.