Survivors of a Red Sea dive boat accuse officials of covering it up

Red Sea Dive-Boat Survivors Claim Pressure to Sign Unclear Statements Amid Alleged Cover-Up

Survivors of the deadly Red Sea dive-boat sinking have revealed they were pressured to sign official witness statements in Arabic—despite not understanding the language. These documents, translated from English by an employee of the boat’s operating company, left survivors feeling misled and coerced.

Some survivors also reported being urged to sign waivers stating they did not accuse anyone of “criminal wrongdoing.”

Eleven survivors who spoke to the BBC accused Egyptian authorities of attempting to cover up the incident, claiming investigators were intent on blaming a massive wave for the sinking.

The tragedy occurred in the early hours of November 25, 2023, when the Sea Story, carrying 46 people, sank. Four bodies were recovered, while seven individuals—including two British divers—remain missing.

Neither Egypt’s government nor Dive Pro Liveaboard, the Hurghada-based operator of the Sea Story, have responded to inquiries about the incident.

Previously, the BBC uncovered survivor reports of significant safety failures on the vessel. A leading oceanographer also disputed claims that a massive wave was responsible, citing weather data that made such an explanation unlikely.

Survivors described being subjected to intense questioning—some while still in hospital beds—by individuals they were told were judges. Those not hospitalized were interviewed at a nearby resort but similarly reported feeling pressured.

“We were told we couldn’t leave the room until everyone had given their statements,” recalled Sarah Martin, an NHS doctor from Lancashire.

Though officials said the questioning was part of a formal investigation, survivors say it was unclear who was actually in charge. They expressed alarm that their statements were translated by an employee of Dive Pro Liveaboard, posing a clear conflict of interest.

Spanish diver Hissora Gonzalez said the translator did not initially disclose his affiliation. “He just said, ‘Tell me what happened and sign this paper,’” Gonzalez recounted. Survivors later discovered he worked for the company that owned the Sea Story.

Lisa Wolf, another survivor, was stunned by the process. “A proper judge shouldn’t accept a translation from someone directly involved in the incident,” she said.

The survivors’ accounts raise serious concerns about the integrity of the investigation and the handling of witness testimonies in the aftermath of the disaster.