Pecio Salem Express

Wreck / Maritime grave

Profundidad: 10–32 mNivel: Advanced Open Water; penetration prohibited

A passenger and vehicle ferry of a little over 100 m, built in France in the 1960s, which worked the Jeddah-Safaga route. On the night of 14-15 December 1991 she was returning with pilgrims from the Hajj when, in a storm, the captain took a short cut between Hyndman Reef and the coast; the ship struck and sank with enormous loss of life. The official figure is around 470 victims, but published estimates are far higher and the true number aboard was never established. The wreck lies on her side between about 10 and 32 m.

Depth

10–32 m

Recommended level

Advanced Open Water; penetration prohibited

Current

Generally gentle

Access

Day boat from Safaga or Hurghada, and liveaboard

Ocean

Plan your dive

Protection status

Declarado tumba marítima

Did you know

Es probablemente la inmersión más discutida del mar Rojo. Está declarado tumba marítima y la penetración está prohibida porque quedan restos humanos en el interior; los operadores serios piden perfiles conservadores y no tocar nada. Alrededor del casco siguen visibles equipajes, botes salvavidas y objetos personales. Las fuentes discrepan incluso sobre el costado en que reposa y sobre la fecha exacta, indicio de lo confuso que fue el suceso.

Sources consulted: Dive The World; PADI (ficha del sitio); Euro-Divers; InDEPTH; Aquarius Red Sea; divezone.net