Anadolu documents submerged Salem express ferry in Egypt

By Zeynep Hilal Karyagdi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Anadolu captured footage of the sunken Salem Express ferry, which sank in the Red Sea in 1991, en route from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Egypt.

According to information from local sources, a ferry measuring 100 meters in length and 18 meters in width, which set out from Jeddah to Egypt, sank near the city of Safaga in the Red Sea on Dec. 14, 1991.

The ship, carrying hundreds of pilgrims returning from the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca to Jeddah, collided violently with the southeastern part of a reef chain known as the Hyndman Reef near the end of the journey as it approached SafagaPort from Jeddah.

As the ship sank rapidly, a definitive list of the number of passengers on board could not be found.

Egyptian authorities ultimately determined the final death toll to be 470, while 180 passengers and crew managed to survive and reach the shore on their own.

Despite Egypt's authorities recovering most of the bodies, diving into the wreckage was prohibited due to its status as a submerged memorial grave.

- Egyptian guides led dive

The Salem Express ferry, which was later permitted to dive by Egyptian authorities, was captured on film during a dive conducted by Tahsin Ceylan, Anadolu's underwater image director and documentary producer.

The dive, led by Ceylan, also involved his friends from the Scuba-Bay team: Yalin Tolga Yilmaz, Murat Kulakac, and Mesut Bozkurt, along with Egyptian guides.

Out of respect for the guides' request, the team refrained from entering the tilted position of the ferry.

Following the examination and observations, Kulakac offered prayers underwater for those who lost their lives.

- Wreckage includes luggage, strollers, and personal items

Due to the disapproval of Egyptians, the wreck is mostly observed from the outside.

The sunken ship, bearing the name Salem Express on its chimney, reveals suitcases, baby strollers, and various personal items. Submerged for over 30 years, the ferry's surface is covered with algae and corals.

It appears that the bones of those who perished in the wreck are also covered by corals.

Among the suitcases, there are various items believed to be gifts that pilgrims purchased for their relatives on their return.

Inside the wreck, there is a restaurant with fixed tables. Lifeboats are present alongside, and the propellers at the rear have remained intact until today.