First victim of Egypt dive boat fire that killed three Brits is named

‘She’ll be missed beyond words’: First victim of Red Sea dive boat fire that killed three British tourists off Egypt is named as hospice boss, 58, who spent her life working in the NHS

• Christina Quinn, 58, started her role at St Luke Hospice in Plymouth months ago 

The first victim of a dive boat fire in Egypt that killed three Britons has been named as a hospice boss who had spent her life working in the NHS.

Christina Quinn, 58, had taken on her role as chief executive of St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth after a dedicating much of her working life to the NHS. Tonight her family paid tribute to Ms Quinn, describing her as ‘a rock to many’ who will ‘be missed beyond words’.

Ms Quinn, along with the two other victims, had been inside her cabin room when the fire broke out in the Red Sea on Sunday morning, sources told AI Arabiya.net  

‘It is with great sadness that we confirm the tragic death of Christina Quinn in Egypt’, a spokesperson for her family told Sky News tonight.

‘She was a sister, daughter, wife, aunty, friend, and rock to many. She will be missed beyond words.

Christina Quinn, 58, is the first victim of the tragic fire on an Egyptian dive boat to be named

The fire had broken out on the Hurricane boat off the coast of Marsa Alam 

‘We would ask for privacy at this time.’

Charles Hackett, chair of St Luke’s Hospice said: ‘Christina was incredibly passionate about St Luke’s and its place at the heart of the community it serves, and we are devastated to lose her warmth, wisdom and leadership.

‘With her vibrant and engaging personality and her down to earth, caring nature, as CEO she wads quickly building strong and meaningful relationships both inside the outside the organisation.

‘We will miss Christina enormously and our hearts go out to her family and close friends at this tragic time.’

Scuba Travel, who chartered the boat, announced that the three British tourists who ‘perished in the tragic incident’ off the coast of Marsa Alam had chosen not to go diving that day, leaving them unable to evacuate the boat quickly. 

Investigators confirmed that the three had been found in the deck in their cabins, which sources said was next to the fuel tank, after failing to escape the intense blaze.

The dive company said the three passengers were amongst 15 qualified diving enthusiasts who had been on board the ‘Hurricane’ for a week-long trip.

‘At the time the fire broke out, 12 divers were participating in a briefing on board, while those missing had apparently decided not to dive that morning,’ the company added. 

Rescue services were alerted to the fire after the blaze was said to have started in the engine room because of an electrical  fault

The wrecked Egyptian diving boat was seen lying on its side as it was brought to shore for an investigation

Footage of the fire shared on social media shows the boat being transformed into a floating inferno as its stern was engulfed by flames.

Black smoke flumes from the rear off the boat as it travelled through the Elphinstone Reef in the Red Sea.

Terrified passengers are seen throwing themselves from the ship, which was carrying 29 people on board at the time, escaping the vessel after a suspected electrical fault in the engine room.

In total, 26 passengers were rescued, 12 British and the other 14 are thought to be Egyptian. Local police said the people rescued had no injuries and were in good health. 

Police said that crew members suffered no injuries and were taken to shore in good health. 

A full investigation is set to be carried out by local authorities to determine what caused the fire. The wrecked boat has been pictured lying on its side with smoke still billowing out of it on the shore as it cools down. 

A spokesman for Scuba Travel confirmed to MailOnline on Monday: ‘It is with great regret that we, as tour operator, with heavy hearts, must accept that three of our much-valued dive guests, perished in the tragic incident.

‘Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to their families and friends at this very sad time.’

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