11 June 2023 , 09:41
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A major search is underway for three British tourists who went missing after the luxury dive boat they were travelling on erupted into flames in Egypt's Red Sea.
The vessel, which was carrying 29 people at the time, was the Hurricane diving vessel owned by the Tornado Marine Fleet, an Egyptian tour operator covering the popular tourist destination.
Twelve other Britons are said to have been rescued from the boat off the coast of Marsa Alam.
Terrifying footage shows the boat erupting in flames, with thick clouds of acrid smoke billowing into the air, as the frantic passengers desperately cling to the side of the ship as they're lowered into a waiting lifeboat.
Local officials say an initial investigation points to the inferno being caused by an electrical fault in the engine room.
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At 6.30am this morning, the ship was approaching the Elphinstone Reef - which is known for being a good spot to see sharks and dolphins - when it caught fire.
A spokesperson for Tornado Marine Fleet told the Mirror the blaze broke out during a diving briefing as the passengers were preparing to explore the pristine waters.
The boat was sailing in the Red Sea (@qnetworkkw/Twitter)They said: "Today at 6.30 am at Elphinstone, while doing the diving briefing, [the] Hurricane caught fire.
"We do have three missing British passengers, and all others were on the Ribs [life boats] to another boat and reached the nearest land safely.
" Now, we are bringing the boat back to the marina under authority supervision."
Passengers and crew were seen jumping into a lifeboat (BBC/UNPIXS)The company advertises the Hurricane, which is one of their most popular vessels, as a "Powerhouse in the Southern Red Sea" which costs around £1500 for a seven-night trip, including flights.
Images shared online showed the stunning ship fitted with advanced diving equipment, which is all provided free of charge, a massive dining area and even an on-board chef preparing the day's fuel.
The Hurricane's sun deck (scubatravel)Its website adds: "Hurricane has long history of sailing the southern Red Sea. This steel hulled liveaboard makes for a stable home for a week, cruising some of the Red Sea's most famous and beloved dive sites."
The ship is just under 120ft long, with 11 en-suite, air-conditioned cabins split between two decks.
Egyptian police earlier confirmed that the Hurricane was carrying 29 people at the time of the fire, 12 of them Brits and another 14 locals.
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The luxury ship costs around £1500 for a seven-night tour (Facebook)The identities of the three missing passengers have not yet been shared.
Copts Today added that the boat had set out from the Marina Porto Ghalib on June 6, which was Tuesday.
The surviving tourists and crew have been taken to the beach of a village called Marsa Al-Shajara
It has 11 en-suite cabins (scubatravel)The Egyptian outlet added that they are all in good health and unharmed.
The search continues for the three missing tourists.
An FCDO spokesperson said: "We are in contact with local authorities following an incident aboard a dive boat near Marsa Alam, and are supporting British nationals involved."
In a statement, the Red Sea Governorate said: "The initial examination resulted in an electrical short circuit in the engine room, and the investigation authorities went to conduct an inspection and investigation.
"[The Secretary General] pointed out that the crew and passengers were rescued by the boat named 'Blue' and returned to central Marsa Alam, and a search is still underway for three British passengers by the concerned authorities and other boats, stressing that the Ambulance Authority and the Directorate of Health Affairs have been notified to raise the level of readiness and follow-up is underway."