Overview

• The investigation reports that Egyptian dive vessels have suffered more accidents in the past three years than anywhere else, warning tourists the boats are life‑threatening.
• Egyptian prosecutor files reviewed by the reporters indicate the Sea Story had construction‑related stability defects, the captain lacked a proper license, and the vessel lacked authorization to operate at sea.
• On‑site inspections of 17 additional ships in three ports found widespread deficiencies, including unseaworthy life jackets, inadequate liferafts, defective bulkheads, and missing navigation or communications equipment.
• Hamburg’s public prosecutor is investigating the Sea Story sinking on suspicion of negligent homicide.
• The findings place recent tragedies in a broader pattern, including the March 2025 Sindbad Submarine sinking near Hurghada that killed six, with 39 rescued and nine injured.