Footage from inside the Sindbad submarine reveals what it might have been like onboard the doomed vessel before disaster struck.
It comes as at least six people are feared dead after the sub – which had been carrying 44 passengers – sank off the coast of Egypt during one of its trips.
A further nine have been injured, four critically, in the disaster which happened a kilometre off the holiday resort of Hurghada this morning.
Upbeat footage taken by previous Sindbad passengers starkly contrasts with the terrifying tragedy that unfolded today.
One video shows how young families often embark on the tours, travelling 80ft beneath the ocean in search of a thrill.
Children can be seen peering out at marine life through circular windows while pointing out the colorful shoals of fish darting past to their parents.
Divers provide more entertainment by waving at passengers and feeding the sea creatures.
In another clip a family press their hands against the window and smile as a diver takes a picture from outside.
Footage from inside the Sindbad submarine reveals what it might have been like onboard the doomed vessel before disaster struck
It comes after a t least six people are feared dead after the sub – which had been carrying 44 passengers – sank off the coast Egypt during one of its trips
Upbeat footage taken by previous Sindbad passengers serves as a stark contrast to the recent terrifying tragedy which unfolded today. One video shows how young families often embark on the tours, travelling 80ft beneath the ocean in search of a thrill
Children can be seen peering out at marine life through circular windows while pointing out the colorful shoals of fish darting past to their parents
More footage shows passengers being taken out to the submarine on a boat, where they receive a briefing before climbing down and boarding the vessel.
Once onboard, they sit tightly packed on the floor, listening to a tour guide talk to them through a speaker.
Previous excursions on Sindbad have had positive feedback – with one family calling it a ‘great experience’ and another saying the trip was ‘so cool’.
But, this morning Red Sea Security Directorate received a report of the tourist submarine sinking, which took place close to the harbour in front of the marina of a ‘famous hotel’ that has not yet been named in local media.
Sources have confirmed to the newspaper that the Red Sea Health Directorate and the Egyptian Ambulance Authority have been placed on maximum alert following the incident.
Some 21 ambulances have been dispatched to the scene of the accident, and have been transporting the injured to local hospitals including Al-Kawthar, due to the severity of their conditions.
The 44 passengers ‘of different nationalities’ had been out on a sea trip to see Egypt’s coral reefs and tropical fish before the vessel, which can reportedly dive to depths of up to 72 ft, sank.
The submarine has been operating tourist trips in Hurghada for several years.
According to the operator, Sharm Hurghada Excursions, the underwater tour is three-hours long and costs £68 per adult ticket, and £35 for children.
The company boasts its excursions allow visitors to admire Hurghada’s underwater life and extensive coral reef, enjoy a diving experience while staying dry, and see life underwater at a depth of 72ft.
Divers provide more entertainment by waving at passengers and feeding the sea creatures
Pictured: A captain driving the Sindbad submarine
Children can be seen peering out at marine life through circular windows pointing out the colorful shoals of fish darting past to their parents
It also claims it holds two of the only ’14 real recreational submarines’ in the world.
The website for Sindbad Submarines continues: ‘It offers 44 passenger seats – two pilots’ seats and a sizable round viewing window for each passenger.’
The cause and circumstance of the sinking have not yet been confirmed or reported.
Hurghada is a popular tourist destination for Brits and Germans and several nautical jaunts operate from the coast.
This is not the first time an incident involving tourist boats has occurred in the waters off the coastal city.
In November last year, a tourist boat named Sea Story sank off Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
The boat sank near Shaab Satayah, a coral reef popular for diving trips, off the tourist resort of Marsa Alam in the early hours of November 25.
Those who escaped the vessel said a ‘high sea wave’ had hit it and caused it to capsize in ‘about five or seven minutes’, Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafi said at the time.
The incident occurred during rough weather conditions, with the Egyptian Red Sea Ports Authority reporting wave heights of 10 to 13 feet and wind speeds of 34 knots in the area, leading to the closure of maritime traffic.
The boat departed on a diving trip from the port of Ghalib in Marsa Alam on November 24 and was scheduled to arrive at Hurghada Marina on November 29.
Some of the survivors were reportedly flown back to shore by a helicopter to receive medical care, while others were transported via another boat.
UK investigators said last month there had been 16 incidents involving ‘liveaboard’ vessels in the area in the last five years, with a number resulting in deaths.
