At least six dead after tourist submarine sinks in Egypt's Red Sea

At least six people have died and nine have been injured after a tourist submarine carrying 45 people sank in Egypt's Red Sea, according to reports.

The vessel went down after setting off from the harbour in the tourist promenade area in the coastal city of Hurghada. The sub was heading for an underwater tour of local coral reefs.

Emergency crews were able to rescue 29 people, a statement by the Red Sea governorate read.

The Russian Embassy in Egypt said in a post on Facebook Thursday that all of the tourists on the submarine were Russian nationals. The embassy added that four have been confirmed dead, while it awaits further information on others. 

It was not immediately clear if any of the crew members were among the casualties, or what caused the sub to sink.

This is a developing story and our journalists are working on further updates.