Three UK tourists killed in Egypt dive boat blaze near Marsa Alam

A tragic fire recently claimed the lives of three British tourists on a dive boat trip in Egypt. One of the victims has been identified as Christina Quinn, 58 years old, the chief executive of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth. A family spokesperson expressed their deep grief over her death, describing her as a sister, daughter, wife, aunty, friend, and rock to many, whose absence will be profoundly felt.

The three deceased passengers had opted not to dive that day and were aboard the Hurricane vessel when the fire broke out at around 8.30am local time. The boat was carrying 15 qualified diving enthusiasts in total, and it appears the other 12 individuals were attending a briefing onboard when the incident occurred. The boat had set sail from Port Ghalib the previous Tuesday and was located off the Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea near Marsa Alam at the time of the disaster.

Social media footage depicted the boat nearly consumed by flames and smoke. In response to the emergency, a nearby vessel was used to evacuate the remaining 12 tourists, while the 14 crew members also had to abandon ship. British holiday company Scuba Travel was involved in coordinating these efforts.

Charles Hackett, chair of St Luke’s Trustees, fondly remembered Ms. Quinn’s passion for St Luke’s and her dedication to serving the local community. He noted her voluntary position as chair of the hospice’s board for six years. Her warmth, wisdom, and leadership will be sorely missed.

Authorities explained that initial reports suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit in the boat’s engine room. A comprehensive investigation will be carried out by police and local authorities to determine the exact cause of this devastating event.