At least 6 tourists dead in submarine accident in Egypt: Officials
LONDON -- Multiple people are dead and nearly two dozen injured after a tourism submarine crashed in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt, officials said.
The crash occurred Thursday morning, less than a mile off the coast of Hurghada, during an underwater excursion to see the coral reef, according to the Russian consulate in Hurghada.
Six people -- all Russian nationals -- were killed, according to the Red Sea Gov. Gen. Amr Hanafy. The deceased include two children, according to the Russian consulate.
Twenty-three people were transported to area hospitals with injuries including wounds, bruises, sprains and shortness of breath, according to the governor. Four of the patients were in intensive care, he said.
Among the injured, seven Russian citizens, including five minors, remain hospitalized in Hurghada, the Russian consulate said in a statement, adding, "According to doctors, their condition is not alarming."
The submarine was carrying 50 people total at the time, according to Hanafy. There were 45 tourists of various nationalities -- including Russian, as well as Indian, Norwegian and Swedish -- and five Egyptian crew members, he said.
Local authorities are investigating the cause of the accident and are in communication with the crew, Hanafy said.
Russian investigators have also launched a criminal probe into the incident, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.
The submarine is owned by an Egyptian national and held a valid license and necessary certifications, according to Hanafy.
Hurghada is a popular tourist destination for beachgoers along the Red Sea and is well known for its scuba diving and snorkeling.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
ABC News' Morgan Winsor and Nasser Atta contributed to this report.
