Three British passengers missing after boat bursts into flames in Egypt

Twelve other Britons rescued from vessel after incident in popular tourist resort

Three Britons are believed to be missing after a boat carrying tourists burst into flames off the Egyptian coast.

Twelve other Britons are said to have been rescued from the boat, off the coast of Marsa Alam in the Red Sea, a popular tourist resort.

A total of 29 people were reportedly on board. A search party was launched to find the remaining three British tourists, whose identities have not been revealed.

Plumes of smoke erupt from a yacht on fire in Marsa Alam, Egypt (via REUTERS)

Footage on social media appeared to show the boat almost entirely engulfed in flames and smoke.

Authorities said initial reports suggested the fire was the result of an electrical fault. Egyptian authorities said “an electrical short circuit in the boat’s engine room sparked the blaze”.

The boat left Port Ghalib on Tuesday and was due to return on Sunday, reports say.

Three Britons are believed to still be missing (via REUTERS)

A spokesperson for Tornado Marine Fleet, which owns the boat, said: “Today at 6.30am at Elphinstone, while doing the diving briefing, Hurricane caught fire.

(via REUTERS)

“We do have three missing British passengers and all others ... reached the nearest land safely.

“Now we are bringing the boat back to the marina under authority supervision.”

The Foreign Office is supporting British nationals involved.