Six people have died after a tourist submarine sank off the Egyptian Red Sea resort town of Hurghada, the local governor told Reuters, without confirming the nationalities of the victims, CBS reports.
The Russian consulate in Hurghada said the submarine named "SINDBAD" had 45 Russian tourists on board, in addition to the crew members. The embassy confirmed four deaths, without specifying whether they were Russians.
"Most of the people on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada," the consulate said, adding that the fate of several tourists was still being clarified. Two municipal officials told The Associated Press that nine others were injured. Emergency crews have rescued 29 people. It is not yet clear what caused the submarine to sink.
The Red Sea, known for its coral reefs and marine life, is a major hub for Egypt's key tourism industry, in which Russian tourists are playing a growing role. But many tour companies have suspended or limited their Red Sea trips because of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on vessels in the region.