Survivors of the Sea Story dive-boat catastrophe in the Red Sea have expressed grave concerns regarding the handling of the incident by Egyptian authorities. They allege that they faced pressure to sign witness statements in Arabic, a language many did not comprehend, specifically translated by an employee of Dive Pro Liveaboard, the operator of the boat. The survivors, numbering eleven who spoke with the BBC, suspect a deliberate attempt by the authorities to deflect responsibility by attributing the sinking to a "huge wave."
The tragic event occurred on November 25, when the Sea Story, with 46 people onboard, sank, leading to the recovery of four bodies while seven individuals remain missing, including two British divers. Neither the Egyptian government nor Dive Pro Liveaboard has provided a response to inquiries regarding the incident.
Within hours after being rescued, many survivors reported being interrogated by alleged judges, some still in hospital beds. Those not needing medical attention were questioned at a nearby resort under similar distressing circumstances. Dr. Sarah Martin, an NHS doctor from Lancashire, recounted that they were essentially held captive in the room until their statements were recorded. Survivors criticized the apparent conflict of interest when their statements were translated into Arabic by a representative of the boat’s operating company.
Survivors described a shocking experience when they realized that their verbal testimonies had been altered or omitted entirely from the official reports. Hissora Gonzalez, a Spanish diver, noted that the translator did not disclose his affiliation with the boat company initially. Frøydis Adamson, a Norwegian police investigator, expressed concern that she had signed documents in Arabic without understanding their content, fearing any incriminating information was ignored.
The former captain of the Sea Story stated that a push was made for individuals to sign waivers exonerating the boat operators from blame. Justin Hodges, an American diver among the rescued, identified the inconsistencies and deceptions in the requests made by the boat’s representatives as "insane."
Meanwhile, the families of the missing Britons, Jenny Cawson and Tarig Sinada, are calling for a transparent investigation into the incident. They assert that information from Egyptian authorities has been misleading, creating a narrative that attempts to protect the tourism sector in Egypt more than it prioritizes safety and accountability.
Issues surrounding the safety of dive vessels in the Red Sea were highlighted in a report by Maritime Survey International, which pointed out that dive boats in the region often operate without adequate safety management systems and oversight. This growing concern about the industry's regulations follows other accidents, including a fatal fire on another vessel in March that resulted in the death of a German tourist.
The survivors of the Sea Story are calling for answers and actions to prevent such tragedies in the future as they seek justice for their friends and loved ones still unaccounted for.
