Six people have died and nine others were injured after a tourist submarine sank off the coast of Hurghada, a popular resort city in Egypt's Red Sea, on Thursday. All the victims were reported to be Russian nationals, including minors. Local authorities confirmed that the submarine was carrying a total of 45 passengers and five crew members, all of whom were part of a sightseeing excursion.

Emergency crews swiftly rescued at least 39 individuals from the water after the *Sindbad* submarine went down approximately one kilometer from shore at around 10:00 am local time. The vessel sank while on a scheduled tour to view the region's well-known coral reefs and marine life, a significant draw for tourists to the region.

Officials stated that the tourist submarine had a history of operation in the area and was equipped with large viewing windows for underwater sightseeing. However, reports suggest the vessel may have struck a reef and lost pressure while diving, although the exact cause of the incident remains under investigation.

Russian authorities confirmed that most of the tourists onboard were successfully rescued and taken to hospitals in Hurghada for treatment. Among those injured, four were reported to be in critical condition but stable. The Russian consulate has been active in monitoring the situation and assisting survivors.

The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety standards of underwater tourism in Egypt, particularly given the region's history of tourism-related accidents. In November of the previous year, another boat incident resulted in several fatalities among tourists in similar circumstances, hinting at the growing scrutiny of safety regulations in the industry.

As investigations into the sinking continue, Egyptian officials are under pressure to reassess and strengthen tourism safety regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future. The tourism sector plays a vital role in Egypt’s economy, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP and employing millions.

For further updates on this developing story, stay tuned to global news sources like Al Jazeera and Africa News.