Family Expresses “Desperation” as Britons Remain Missing After Red Sea Sinking

The relatives of a British pair who remain missing following the sinking of a tourist vessel in the Red Sea have conveyed their “desperation” while awaiting updates. Jenny Cawson, aged 36, and her 49-year-old husband Tarig Sinada, both from Devon, are thought to be among seven individuals still unaccounted for after the Sea Story capsized near the Egyptian coast early on Monday. Michael Williams, Jenny’s father, recounted to the BBC his reaction upon learning of the event, stating: “We were just in disbelief, it’s one of those moments when the world stops.” The family has voiced dissatisfaction, claiming the UK Foreign Office is failing to provide sufficient details regarding the incident and the search efforts undertaken by Egyptian authorities. The Foreign Office stated its commitment to offering “support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt”. The Sea Story, a four-deck vessel, was transporting 31 passengers and 13 crew members when it was reportedly struck by a substantial wave close to the town of Marsa Alam amidst stormy conditions, leading to its capsizing. Marsa Alam, a resort town, is a favored location for visitors along Egypt’s southern Red Sea coast, known for its numerous diving sites, including celebrated coral reefs. Among those aboard were tourists originating from Belgium, Britain, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, and the US. A total of thirty-three individuals have been rescued, and four bodies have been retrieved. Speaking via phone from Devon, Michael disclosed the manner in which Tarig’s mother informed the family about the sinking. He recounted: “Tarig’s mother messaged us that the Sea Story sank in the Red Sea and asked me if I knew the name of the boat.” Pamela, Jenny’s mother, was familiar with the vessel’s name and possessed a photograph of it, as the couple, both seasoned scuba divers, had reached out to them upon their arrival in the Red Sea. She expressed: “Your heart sinks. You ask yourself, have I misread the news? Let’s look again.” Pamela stated that the family continues to get daily updates from the Foreign Office, yet she laments that there is “still no news”. Due to an absence of concrete information, the family indicated they contacted local contacts in Egypt to inquire about their relatives. Pamela further noted: “One of the local sources was kind enough to try and look for them in local hospitals.” The family reports being informed that the boat had not been located, only to subsequently encounter media accounts indicating its discovery by Egyptian rescue teams. Five of the individuals who survived and were extracted alive on Tuesday were reportedly saved from within the vessel’s cabins. A diver informed the BBC earlier in the week that significant effort was required to access the largely submerged Sea Story, open the cabins, and retrieve the five survivors along with four bodies. Considerable speculation surrounds the cause of the boat’s sinking, particularly whether adverse weather was the sole contributing factor or if human-made elements also played a role. The governor of Egypt’s Red Sea region has dismissed the notion of a technical malfunction being responsible for the sinking. He affirmed that the boat was secure and had undergone all requisite inspections. Concurrently, the Egyptian navy has assumed command of the rescue efforts, which are believed to be continuing, as no official declaration has indicated their cessation. However, the survivors have been shielded from media contact. Local authorities report them to be in good health. Michael, Jenny’s father, commented: “We’re surprised that our Foreign Office can’t pressure anybody in Egypt.” Maritime cruises and diving excursions are highly favored by European visitors to the Red Sea, an area renowned for its pristine waters and spectacular marine ecosystems. The Sea Story had departed from Marsa Allam for a five-day voyage intended to conclude in Hurghada, another well-known resort. There are now apprehensions that this incident could significantly impact the region’s tourism sector. Jenny, employed by the Devon Wildlife Trust, and Tarig, an IT professional, had previously visited Egypt on multiple occasions and undertaken diving expeditions globally, according to their family. Pamela stated: “Everything Jenny and her husband do is highly considered; they do proper research before travelling anywhere. They are not the type of people who take anything at face value.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.