Survivors of the tragic Sea Story dive-boat sinking in the Red Sea are coming forward with alarming claims. They allege they were pressured into signing witness statements in Arabic, a language many could not understand, with translations provided by an employee from the boat company like Dive Pro Liveaboard. These accusations come in the wake of the boat’s sinking on November 25, which resulted in the loss of four lives, with seven individuals still missing.
According to the survivors, shortly after being rescued, they were subjected to intense questioning that some likened to an "interrogation," while recovering in hospital beds. This treatment raised immediate concerns about the legitimacy of the investigation led by unidentified judges, who survivors believed seemed more intent on deflecting blame from the boat operators rather than uncovering the truth.
Among the troubling testimonies, many survivors expressed frustration over an apparent conflict of interest due to the translating process. One diver recounted how an employee of Dive Pro Liveaboard initially presented himself without revealing his affiliation, worsening the group’s distrust. With their statements ultimately handed to investigators, survivors were horrified to realize that crucial details regarding safety conditions on board had been omitted from their documents.
The investigation faces growing scrutiny, especially as many survivors assert that authorities swiftly sought to attribute the cause of the disaster to a monstrous wave, despite meteorological evidence contradicting that claim. Survivors recalled being assured that if they wished to hold anyone accountable, they would have to name a specific individual and crime, a demand many deemed absurd.
The push for survivors to sign liability waivers only intensified concerns about transparency. American diver Justin Hodges recounted a disturbing experience where he was misled into thinking he was filling out safety clearance paperwork, only to discover it was another liability release. Such incidents perpetuate fears that the Egyptian authorities aim to obscure the realities surrounding the dive-boat tragedy, with friends and family of the missing, including two British divers, calling for an open and thorough investigation.
Adding to the concerns, previous reports have indicated that dive boats operating in the Red Sea lack crucial safety measures and maintenance protocols, raising alarm about the regulatory environment governing dive tourism in the region. As the plight of survivors continues to unfold, urgent calls for accountability and reform within Egypt’s dive-boat industry remain louder than ever.
