Two Brits rescued from a potential maritime disaster after a tourist yacht sank in the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast have been identified.
The pair, named as Colin Sharratt 65, a former housing consultant from London, and Sally Jones, 58. The couple were among six rescued tourists who were treated at a hospital in Marsa Alam, along with three Egyptian men who worked on the ship. A local source told the Times they sustained minor injuries from the ordeal but were in “good spirits” and discharged themselves from hospital.
A friend who saw footage of the pair on TV after they were rescued posted a photo of them on social media and said: “Thankfully they both survived.”
Officials have not confirmed the identities of the four dead people recovered from the Sea Story wreck, but it is understood two British people are among the seven still missing.
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EGYPTIAN SIS/AFP via Getty Image)
The group were on the Sea Story yacht which contained 44 people on board, including 31 tourists and 13 crew, when the vessel sank. Boat rescuers found three tourists alive today – but retrieved four bodies from the wreckage of the Sea Story.
Tourists onboard the boat were from the UK, US, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium, China, Finland, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland. Two of the Brits those missing were on board when the yacht left the eastern town of Marsa Alam on Sunday for a five-day diving trip. However, the boat sent a distress signal on Monday .
Governor of the Red Sea region Amr Hanafi said surviors said a “high sea wave” hit the vessel and caused it to capsize. He said: “The initial cause of the accident, according to the accounts of foreigners and the Egyptian crew, was a large wave from the sea that hit the boat, causing it to capsize. The matter was sudden and fast, as it took about five or seven minutes.”
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority warned of high waves on the Red Sea and advised against maritime activity on Sunday and Monday. The yacht was operated by Dive Pro Liveaboard, which is based in the Egyptian resort of Hurghada.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office issued a statement on Monday. A spokesperson said: “We are providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt and are in contact with the local authorities.”
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