CNN
 — 

Four of those killed aboard the submarine that sank off Egypt’s Red Sea resort city of Hurghada were Russian, according to a Facebook post by the Russian embassy in Egypt.

The incident occurred at 10:00 a.m. local time Thursday, when the submarine Sindbad “crashed at a distance of 1 km from the shore,” the embassy said, adding that all 45 tourists on board the vessel were Russian.

Minors were among the passengers on the submarine, which belonged to a hotel bearing the same name, but it is unclear if they are among the fatalities.

The vessel was on a regular underwater excursion to inspect the coral reef, the embassy added.

“According to initial data, most of those on board were rescued and taken to their hotels and hospitals in Hurghada,” the embassy said, adding that “the fate of several tourists is being clarified.”

“Diplomats from the Consulate General are on the pier of the Sindbad Hotel,” the embassy said.

Local Egyptian media reported Thursday that six people were killed in the incident.

Those killed were foreign nationals, Reuters said, citing the Hurghada governorate office.

CNN has reached out to the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities for comment.

This is a developing story and will be updated.