1185 sunk in Egyptian ferry disaster
Egypt, Local, 2/4/2006

The Egyptian government in a report said that the "ferry al-Salam 98" sunk on Thursday night in the Red Sea, "some 90 km from Safaja harbour while it was coming from the Saudi Dheba harbour, with 1415 passengers on board, including 1212 Egyptians (96 of whom were the ferry crew). "

The report said "Most victims were families of the Egyptian workers in Saudi Arabia and were returning to Egypt following the end of the midyear vacation. Some 117 foreigners who were on board the ferry, were among the victims, according to latest reports. Initial reports confirmed the survival of 376 . No accurate information has emerged on the genuine causes of the disaster."

The report said "The ferry had left Saudi Dheba harbour at 19.30 Thurs night heading for Egyptian Safaja harbour amidst winds whose speed recorded 12 nautical miles. Then radio communications were cut off between the ferry and navigational authorities at 22.30 p.m. when San Catherine ship got an S.O.S call indicating that the ill-fated ferry was sinking...Egyptian and Saudi rescue teams are still continuing search for survivors."

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