Tourist Boat Runs Aground Near Hamata, All Passengers and Crew Rescued Safely

All passengers and crew were rescued safely after the tourist boat La Villa ran aground near Hamata, south of Marsa Alam, during a Red Sea excursion earlier this month.

Based on confirmed reporting from Egyptian media sources, La Villa was carrying 28 people, including 20 foreign tourists and eight crew members, when it struck the seabed in shallow coastal waters close to Hamata. The grounding prompted an immediate precautionary evacuation.

Rescue boats operating in the area, supported by local maritime authorities, responded quickly and transferred everyone on board to safety. Officials confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported, and all passengers were accounted for shortly after the evacuation was completed.

Authorities have since opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the grounding of La Villa, including a review of navigational decisions and local sea conditions at the time of the incident. Early accounts indicate that the evacuation was carried out calmly and efficiently, helping to avoid panic among those on board.

The waters around Hamata are known for their coral reefs and relatively shallow seabed, which can present navigational challenges if vessels move outside designated channels. While incidents of this nature are uncommon, they highlight the importance of local knowledge, accurate charts, and strict adherence to marine safety procedures in popular Red Sea tourism areas.

Officials stressed that the situation was managed effectively and that established safety protocols worked as intended. No wider disruption to marine or tourism operations in the area was reported following the incident.

For divers and liveaboard guests visiting the southern Red Sea, the grounding of La Villa serves as a reminder that even familiar routes require constant vigilance, and that well-trained crews and rapid-response rescue coordination remain critical to safety at sea.