Engaged British couple on reef safari holiday still missing after tourist yacht sinks off coast of Egypt

Tarig Sinada, 49, and his fiancée, Jenny Cawson, 36, were enjoying a reef safari holiday off Egypt when the Sea Story vessel was capsized by a “huge wave”. There were 31 tourists and 13 crew on board, 28 of whom were saved by Monday evening (25 November), including two other Britons - Colin Sharratt, 65, and his partner, Sally Jones, 58.

On Tuesday, five survivors were saved after they managed to stay alive for 30 hours using air pockets in a cabin. Four bodies were also recovered.

Mr Sinada, an IT consultant and an astrophysics graduate of Imperial College, and Miss Cawson have lived together for some years in Ashburton, near Newton Abbot, Devon. An official source said that they were among those missing, presumed drowned.

A spokesman from Tata Consultancy Services, where Mr Sinada works, said: “The incident that took place in the Red Sea on Monday is tragic and our thoughts are with Tarig’s family and all those that have been impacted. We hope for his safe return, along with all other passengers.”

Youssef Al-Faramawy, 23, was one of those who survived more than a day in the water. Detailing his experience, he told the Daily Mail: “I heard screaming – then the boat capsized on its right side, and we couldn’t open the door because of the water pressure.

“In maybe five minutes, it sank, and I was shocked when water started filling the cabin. Just a small air pocket remained, about eight inches high. I was on the verge of falling into a coma, but tried to hold on. We couldn’t scream because we had no strength left. By then, we had surrendered.

“Then we heard something from outside... and screamed at the top of our lungs and tried to knock on the door. Minutes passed before a man with a crowbar was trying to open it – the water pressure meant we had to work together to force it. Then my own uncle Khattab was one of the divers who pulled us out and saved us.”