An official source at the Ministry of Interior said today that upon receiving the regrettable news of the missing of the Egyptian ferry Alsalam 98 which has departed Dhuba port, Tabuk Region, at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday February 2, 2006 (corresponding to Muharram 3, 1427 H.) heading for Egyptian port of Safaga, the Research and Rescue Operations Coordination Center for the Red Sea, Makkah Region, was placed on full alert. Immediately, the center managed to send distress messages to vessels and boats sailing the region to contribute to rescue efforts. The authorities concerned undertook their duties according to the center's previously-designed plan. A task team was also formed at Dhuba port to follow-up the incident. This was in complete coordination with the authorities concerned in the Arab Republic of Egypt who are exerting strenuous efforts as regards search and salvage operations. The Saudi embassy in Cairo has dispatched a team to follow-up and coordinate the efforts as regards the Saudi missing citizens. According to official records of the ferry, the total passengers on board that voyage amounted to 1318 in addition to 80 crew members. The figure out of passengers in terms of nationalities are as follows: 1200 Egyptians; 100 Saudis; six Syrians; four Palestinians; and one passenger from each of Oman, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, the Sudan, Jordan, the Philippines, Indonesia and Canada. The Command and Control Center at the Ministry of Interior in Riyadh has allotted the following contact numbers for enquirers on the incident: A three-digit number of 991; 0096614082558 and Fax No. 0096614052579. For the same purpose, the Saudi embassy in Cairo will answer enquiries on the phone 002027493025.
