Survivors of Red Sea Dive Boat Tragedy Allege Cover-Up by Authorities

Survivors of a sunken dive boat in the Red Sea accuse authorities of attempting to cover up safety violations, claiming they were pressured into signing statements they didn't understand. Eleven survivors assert that officials are wrongly attributing the disaster to a "huge wave," while victims' families demand transparency and accountability from both the government and the boat operators.

Survivors of the tragic dive-boat incident in the Red Sea are speaking out, accusing authorities of attempting to conceal the facts surrounding the catastrophic sinking of the Sea Story. The survivors claim they were coerced into signing official witness statements in Arabic — a language they could not comprehend, as these documents had been translated by an employee of the very boat company involved in the disaster. Eyewitnesses assert that during these encounters, they were also pressured to sign waivers absolving anyone of potential "criminal wrongdoing."

The ill-fated Sea Story was carrying 46 individuals on November 25, 2022, when it sank, claiming four lives and leaving seven other passengers unaccounted for, including two British tourists. Despite multiple attempts for clarity, neither the Egyptian government nor Dive Pro Liveaboard, the company operating the vessel, have responded to inquiries regarding the incident.

Survivors recounted harrowing experiences of being “interrogated” shortly after being rescued, with some still in their hospital beds. Investigations were allegedly led by individuals posing as judges, creating an atmosphere of intimidation as they tried to finalize witness statements under duress.

Frøydis Adamson, one of the survivors, remarked on the apparent conflict of interest as the translator, initially undisclosed as an employee of Dive Pro Liveaboard, handed over Arabic translations to investigators. The survivors expressed shock upon learning that statements recorded about the incident potentially contained inaccuracies, especially as critical safety concerns were seemingly omitted from their accounts.

Authorities persistently attempted to blame the sea for the disastrous sinking, despite numerous survivors claiming that conditions were navigable and safe, prompting professionals, including an oceanographer, to refute this narrative based on available meteorological data. The idea that the cause could be attributed solely to a large wave has frustrated the victims, who maintain that negligence from the boat operators contributed significantly to the tragedy.

Adding to their distress, survivors report feeling pressured to name specific individuals if they were to assign blame for the disaster. Witness statements fail to address the boat's safety issues adequately, with survivors recalling critical details concerning malfunctioning life rafts and inadequate safety measures being disregarded.

Furthermore, the families of the missing Britons, Jenny Cawson and Tarig Sinada, have voiced their anguish, alleging the Egyptian government has provided misleading information about the investigation's progress. Their plight highlights concerns of a cover-up aimed at protecting the tourism industry rather than seeking justice.

Recent investigations into dive boat safety in the Red Sea described alarming deficiencies within the industry, with reports noting that vessels lack proper maintenance systems and safety measures, leading to a reckless operational environment. As the situation around the Sea Story unwinds, calls for a transparent, independent investigation continue to grow amidst fears that authorities are more focused on safeguarding tourism interests than uncovering the truth.