Tourist Boat Engulfed by Fire Off Hurghada as All Passengers Escape Safely

A tourist excursion boat caught fire off the coast of Hurghada on Wednesday, forcing the evacuation of everyone on board in a dramatic rescue involving nearby vessels.

The vessel has been identified by multiple Arabic media outlets as Marina Dolphin, a day-trip boat operating near Small Giftun Island, one of the Red Sea’s most popular snorkelling and diving destinations. Authorities have not yet released an official statement naming the vessel in English, but the identification has been consistent across local Arabic reporting. 

Videos circulating widely on social media show the boat engulfed in flames with thick black smoke rising high above the Red Sea, while nearby boats move alongside to assist those evacuating the vessel.

According to local reports, passengers and crew were successfully transferred to nearby tourist boats before the fire could spread further. No injuries or fatalities have been reported. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Egyptian authorities have opened an investigation to establish how the blaze started and whether any mechanical or electrical failure contributed to the incident. 

The incident occurred in one of Egypt’s busiest marine tourism areas, where hundreds of excursion boats depart each week for snorkelling, diving and sightseeing trips around the Giftun Islands.

While fires involving tourist vessels remain relatively uncommon, the incident comes during a year that has already seen several high-profile vessel fires in the Egyptian Red Sea, drawing renewed attention to onboard fire prevention, emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures. 

The Scuba News will continue monitoring the investigation and provide updates as more official information becomes available.