About Salem Express wreck

• Salem Express wreck is a 115m long passenger ferry that sank in Dec 1991, just an hour away from its final destination, the Safaga Port. It was built in 1964 at the French shipyards of La Seyne.

• This famous wreck in the Red Sea is a notable nautical grave because of the history of the tragic loss of life when she sank shortly after striking a reef at around 11:13 pm on Saturday, December 14th, 1991.

• It sank within 10-20 minutes of hitting the reef, preventing an orderly evacuation using the lifeboats, resulting in the deaths of over 470 passengers with only 180 survivors. It is a very emotional wreck dive that requires our respect.

• Still, diving on the Salem Express wreck is an unparalleled experience, unlike any other shipwreck in the Red Sea. It lies at a depth of 32m on the seafloor, 12m to the side of the wreck.

• You can still find remnants of the passenger’s stuff like personal luggage, carpets used for prayers, portable stereos, even bicycles, and pushchairs. Several of the lifeboats are upright and intact. You can dive through the restaurant, decks, as well as the upper and lower bridge.