RACE TO SAVE DIVE BOAT PAIR

2 Brits among 16 missing in Red Sea horror

- DAN WARBURTON and HOLLIE BONE

HOPES were fading last night for two British tourists who were among 16 people still missing 12 hours after a pleasure boat sank during a diving expedition off the Egyptian coast.

The 144ft Sea Story yacht went down in bad weather in the Red Sea near Marsa Alam with 44 people on board as it took divers to look for wrecks and explore reefs.

Survivors have reported that the Sea Story was "hit by a wave in the middle of the night, throwing the vessel on its side".

It is said to have sunk within seven minutes, with some passengers trapped in their cabins.

After a distress signal was sent, the boat, vanished from the radar and a helicopter was deployed to pick up survivors.

Red Sea governor Major General Amr Hanafi confirmed 28 people had been rescued, however poor weather was said to have hampered rescue efforts.