Egypt opens underwater military exhibit to attract tourists

Egypt’s Ministry of Environment announced on Thursday the first underwater military museum in Red Sea governorate to attract tourist, adding that it will be the first of its kind in Egypt and Africa.

After several years of planning, the Red Sea governorate will combine the first three alternative diving sites in Hurghada to preserve the natural coral reefs in the governorate.

The museum would develop diving tourism, create a new field of marine activities and feature extraordinary sea views showing Egypt’s rich military history.

“The new diving sites will embrace 15 old army machines in certain locations … it took seven years of careful planning to prepare these sites,” Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad said at an inauguration ceremony on Thursday.

According to the statement, the chosen vehicles were left unused for decades and all parts that might be harmful have been removed before being put into the waters to foster corals,

The museum is the result of cooperation between the Egyptian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA).