The tragic sinking of the dive boat Sea Story in the Red Sea has raised serious concerns among survivors who claim they were coerced into signing witness statements and waivers with unclear terms. The incident, which left several missing and dead, seems to be marred by attempts to absolve responsibility, as survivors allege a lack of transparency and a predetermined narrative from investigators.
Survivors of Red Sea Dive Boat Tragedy Claim Coercion and Lack of Transparency in Investigation
Survivors of Red Sea Dive Boat Tragedy Claim Coercion and Lack of Transparency in Investigation
Survivors of the Sea Story tragedy report being pressured to sign unclear statements and waivers, alleging a cover-up by Egyptian authorities.
Survivors of a significant diving accident involving the boat Sea Story in the Red Sea have expressed serious concerns regarding the investigation process, alleging they faced pressure to sign documents in Arabic that they could not understand. The incident occurred in the early hours of November 25, leaving four dead and seven still missing, including two British nationals. Survivors, numbering eleven who spoke to the BBC, have accused Egyptian authorities of trying to downplay the incident, attributing it to a supposed large wave rather than any operational failures onboard.
Upon rescue, survivors reported challenges when asked to provide witness statements, with some facing "interrogations" from individuals they claimed were judges. Many were interviewed in hospitals while others were taken to resorts. Notably, several survivors stated they were firmly told they could not leave until their statements were completed, which raised concerns about their rights and the investigation's fairness.
The translation of their statements into Arabic was performed by an employee of the boat's operator, Dive Pro Liveaboard, leading to accusations of a conflict of interest. For instance, Spanish diver Hissora Gonzalez noted the translator's failure to disclose his affiliation until after the fact, creating an understandable sense of distrust regarding what would later be presented as their formal statements.
Alongside this, some survivors indicated attempts were made by Dive Pro's representatives to have them sign waivers that would prevent them from claiming any criminal actions against the boat operators. Justin Hodges, an American diver involved, highlighted the alarming nature of such requests being made while he was still in shock and trying to provide an accurate account of the events.
The survivors further reported that important details about safety conditions on the vessel, including issues with life rafts, were omitted from their statements. Many survivors expressed fears that the investigation was skewed from the start, given apparent suggestions from investigators attributing blame solely to environmental factors – a narrative echoed by a leading oceanographer who dismissed the likelihood of the giant wave scenario. Survivors consistently reported a strong inclination from authorities to shift blame away from the boat operators.
As of the report, the missing British couple, Jenny Cawson and Tarig Sinada, have yet to be found, and their families have expressed frustration over receiving inconsistent information from the Egyptian government. Friends have echoed sentiments that there may be attempts to shield the local tourism industry from negative publicity surrounding the incident.
Overall, the events surrounding the Sea Story's sinking have raised major concerns about diving operations in the Red Sea, especially regarding the upheld safety measures. A prior report indicated the wider dive boat industry in the region operates largely unregulated and has major safety deficiencies—a detail that heightens anxieties regarding oversight and accountability in light of this tragic accident.
