Three Brits missing after tourist boat bursts into flames in Egypt

Three British people have been reported missing after a boat burst into flames off the coast of Egypt.

The tourist boat had 29 people on board when the fire started, according to reports from Egyptian police, and had been on a scuba diving trip. Of the passengers who have been rescued so far 12 were British and 14 were local.

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The boat had been going from Marina Porto Ghalib on 6 June, with reports suggesting it had been on the way to Marsa Alam region in the south of the Red Sea.

The identities of the three passengers who have gone missing have not yet been made public.

Images from the incident show black smoke pouring out of the vessel, with flames engulfing the rear of the boat out at sea.

All the passengers and crew who have rescued are reported to be in good health. Egyptian authorities have confirmed that a search and rescue operation for the three missing people is currently underway.

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The boat had been sailing in the Red Sea when the electrical fault happened, causing it to catch fire. It set out from Marina Porto Ghalib, and had been due to return on Sunday (11 June).

The boat had been a part of the Tornado Marine Fleet tours, that describes itself as 'Luxury Red Sea Liveaboards', with trips costing around £1500 for seven nights.

The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has been made aware of the incident and is working to support the British nationals who were involved with it.

A spokesperson for the FCDO told Metro: "We are in contact with local authorities following an incident aboard a dive boat near Marsa Alam, and are supporting British nationals involved."

The Secretary General of the Red Sea Governorate confirmed that the fire had started due to an electrical fault.

In a statement they said: "He pointed out that the crew and passengers were rescued by the boat named 'Blue' and returned to central Marsa Alam, and a search is still underway for 3 British passengers by the concerned authorities and other boats, stressing that the Ambulance Authority and the Directorate of Health Affairs have been notified to raise the level of readiness and follow-up is underway."

A spokesperson for Tornado Marine Fleet said: "Today at 06:30 am at Elphinstone, while doing the diving briefing, Hurricane caught fire. We do have three missing British passengers out of 15 passengers. All others, 12 passengers, two guides and 12 crew reached the nearest land safely.

"Now, we are bringing the boat back to the marina under authority supervision. We are still searching for the 3 missing passengers."