A tragic offshore accident occurred in the Red Sea this week after a jackup barge collapsed and sank south of the Suez Canal, leaving four people dead and three missing.
Late on Tuesday, July 1, the offshore drilling unit Admarine 12, operated by ADES Holding, sank while being relocated between two sites in the Gabal El-Zeit region of Egypt. The incident happened approximately 130 miles south of the Suez Canal entrance.
According to ADES, the jackup barge was under tow by an unidentified tug when its legs collapsed onto the barge, causing it to capsize. Footage circulating on social media captured the dramatic moment of the structural failure.
Search and Rescue Efforts
At the time of the incident, there were 30 people aboard the Admarine 12, including 18 ADES employees and 12 contractors. Egyptian authorities launched an overnight rescue operation, successfully recovering 23 individuals. Among the rescued, four were airlifted to a hospital, while 18 others were transported by ambulance.
The Ministry of Health reported that most injuries were non-life-threatening, consisting of bruises, abrasions, and possible fractures. However, two people were reported to be in more serious condition.
Tragically, three ADES employees and one contractor lost their lives, likely due to drowning. Their bodies were recovered. The search for the three missing individuals continues, with support from the Egyptian Navy.
Investigation Underway
The Admarine 12, built in 1966, was capable of operating in waters up to 150 feet (46 meters) deep. It had been deployed in partnership between ADES and Egyptian oil and gas producer OSOCO (Offshore Shukheir Oil Co.) in the Gabal El-Zeit offshore oil region.
The Egyptian public prosecution team has already begun an investigation to assess whether proper occupational safety procedures were followed during the barge relocation. ADES has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and pledged full cooperation with the authorities as well as conducting its own internal investigation.
The Suez Canal Authority confirmed that maritime traffic through the canal remains unaffected by the incident.
