An Irish person is feared missing after a tourist boat sank in Egypt yesterday.

Authorities are continuing to search for survivors after the yacht capsized south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam.

The yacht, which is called Sea Story, had 44 people on board, including 31 tourists of varying nationalities and 13 crew.

16 people, including 12 foreign nationals and four Egyptians are still missing, according to Egyptian authorities.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the case and are in "direct contact" with the citizen in question.

A spokesperson said the Department is providing consular assistance.

The nationalities of those on board include Americans, Belgians, British, Chinese, Finns, Germans, Irish, Poles, Slovakians, Spanish, and Swiss.

Preliminary reports suggest that the vessel was hit with a sudden, large wave, causing it to capsize.

The people who were rescued only suffered minor injuries such as bruises and scrapes with none needing hospital treatment.

The four-deck, wooden-hulled motor yacht was part of a multi-day diving trip when it went down near the coastal town of Marsa Alam following warnings about rough weather.

Officials said a distress call was received at 5.30am local time on Monday.

The boat had left Port Ghalib in Marsa Alam on Sunday and was scheduled to reach its destination of Hurghada Marina on 29 November.

Reporting by IRN.

Feature image: Rescuers and ambulance cars wait on the beach at a harbour in Marsa Alam, Alamy.