Family of British couple lacking in Red Sea yacht sinking say they’re in ‘disbelief’ | EUROtoday

A British couple lacking after a vacationer yacht sank within the Red Sea off Egypt have been named by their household who say they’re “desperate” for information.

Jenny Cawson, 36, and her husband Tariq Sinada, 49, are believed to be amongst seven individuals nonetheless unaccounted for after the vacationer boat Sea Story capsized and sank south of the coastal city of Marsa Alam in Egypt within the early hours of Monday.

The four-deck Sea Story was carrying 44 individuals, together with 13 crew and 31 passengers.

Ms Cawson’s household advised the BBC on Saturday they’re persevering with to obtain each day updates from the Foreign Office – however voiced their frustration as there may be “still no news”.

Ms Cawson’s father Michael Williams mentioned they first heard of the incident from Mr Sinada’s mom.

“Tariq’s mother messaged us that the Sea Story sank in the Red Sea and asked me if I knew the name of the boat,” Mr Williams recalled.

“We were just in disbelief, it’s one of those moments when the world stops.”

Ms Cawson’s mom Pamela advised the BBC she recognised the identify of the boat within the information because the couple had been in contact once they arrived within the Red Sea.

She mentioned: “Your heart sinks. You ask yourself, have I misread the news? Let’s look again.”

The household additional advised the BBC they approached native sources in Egypt in an try and find their family members.

“One of the local sources was kind enough to try and look for them in local hospitals,” Ms Cawson’s mom mentioned.

She added that the couple, who dwell in Ashburton, close to Newton Abbot, Devon, at all times carried out analysis earlier than they launched into a visit.

“Everything Jenny and her husband do is highly considered; they do proper research before travelling anywhere. They are not the type of people who take anything at face value,” she mentioned.

Ms Cawson, who works for the Devon Wildlife Trust, and Mr Sinada, an IT skilled, are each skilled scuba divers.

A spokesperson for Mr Sinada’s employer Tata Consultancy Services mentioned in a press release: “The incident that took place in the Red Sea on Monday is tragic and our thoughts are with Tariq’s family and all those that have been impacted.

“We hope for his safe return, along with all other passengers.”

Tourists on board the luxurious yacht included nationals from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, China, Slovakia, Spain and Ireland.

Following a search and rescue operation led by the Egyptian Navy, 33 individuals have been rescued and 4 our bodies have been recovered whose identities have but to be confirmed.

The governor of the Red Sea, Amr Hanafi, beforehand mentioned in a press release that the boat operated by Dive Pro Liveaboard had cleared its final security inspection in March and no technical points have been reported.

The catastrophe was brought on after a big wave hit the yacht, the governor added.

The Egyptian Meteorological Authority had warned of excessive waves on the Red Sea and suggested towards maritime exercise on Sunday and Monday.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office mentioned: “We are providing consular support to a number of British nationals and their families following an incident in Egypt and are in contact with the local authorities.”

Marsa Alam is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers on diving and cruise holidays as it’s close to massive areas with coral reefs.