The passenger ferry "Salem Express" was on its way from Port-Said to Safaga. It was carrying about 690 (from other sources - about 1000) pilgrims from Mecca.
Salem Express:
Length - 110 meters;
Tonnage - 1.105 tones;
When the 1000-tone vessel hit the reef, the water gained access to the rostrum cargo bay. It poured into the hull and flooded the holds within a few minutes time. Only 108 passengers survived the crash.