Three security sources said that the Egyptian authorities had rescued 16 passengers after a tourist vessel sank near its Red Sea coastline. Search operations were continuing for any remaining passengers or crew.

According to a Red Sea Governorate statement, the boat Sea Story was carrying 45 passengers, including 31 tourists from different nationalities, and 14 crew members, on a multiday diving trip. It went down near Marsa Alam.

Governor Amr Hanafi confirmed that some survivors had been rescued by helicopter and taken to medical treatment. The Egyptian navy and army are working together to find more survivors.

The governorate reported that a distress signal was received by the governorate at 5:30 am (0330 GMT). It also said that the boat left Porto Ghalib, Marsa Alam, on Sunday with plans to return Hurghada Marina in November 29.

Egypt's tourism industry is dependent on the Red Sea, a diving destination known for its corals and marine life. (Reporting and writing by Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Yusri Mohamed, and Mark Heinrich.)

(source: Reuters)