An oil-drilling ship capsized in the Gulf of Suez on 1 July, killing at least four crew members and leaving four others missing, according to Egyptian authorities.
The incident occurred off the coast of Ras Ghareb, located in the Gulf of Suez. The Egyptian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources said the ship overturned near Gabel el-Zeit, a major oil production area roughly 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of the Suez Canal. There were 30 workers on board at the time of the accident, said Red Sea Governor Amr Hanafy.
As reported, rescue teams managed to recover four bodies and safely rescue 22 people, who were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Furthermore, search and rescue operations, supported by Egyptian navy vessels, continued overnight efforts to locate the four remaining missing crew members.
The first footage of an oil drilling rig overturning in the Gulf of Suez. /IMZ22m6oLm
— Ahmed Hassan أحمد حسن زيد (@Ahmed_hassan_za) July 1, 2025
The first footage of an oil drilling rig overturning in the Gulf of Suez. /IMZ22m6oLm
— Ahmed Hassan أحمد حسن زيد (@Ahmed_hassan_za) July 1, 2025
Despite the severity of the incident, authorities said it is unlikely to disrupt maritime traffic through the Suez Canal. The Ministry of Petroleum stated it’s closely following the developments and coordinating with relevant authorities and affiliated companies.
