“Intensive search operations are underway in coordination with the navy and armed forces,” Hanafi said.
Authorities have not released a possible cause of the incident.
On Saturday, Egypt’s meteorological authority predicted turbulence in the Mediterranean and Red Seas due to the weather and warned people about marine activities on Sunday and Monday.
The wind speed was 60-70 km/h, the height of the waves reached three to four meters.
According to the local council in Marsa Alam, the Sea Story’s crew consists of Egyptians, while tourists on board include five Spaniards, four Britons, four Germans and two US citizens. It is still unclear who is among the rescued and who is still considered missing.
A UK Foreign Office spokesman said they were in contact with the authorities and were “supporting a number of British nationals and their families following the incident in Egypt”.
Marsa Alam is a popular tourist destination on Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast and is surrounded by diving sites, including the famous coral reefs.
There was no comment from the Egyptian owner and operator of Dive Pro Liveaboard.
But its website says the vessel was built in 2022, external and is 44 m (144 ft) long. It has four decks and 18 cabins that can accommodate up to 36 passengers.
Earlier this month, 30 people were rescued after a diving boat sank in Marsa Alam. There were no deaths.
Last year, three British tourists died in a fire on their yacht.
