At least 17 people are missing after a tourist cruise vessel sank in the Red Sea, officials in Egypt have said.

The governor of the Red Sea region, Amr Hanafy, said rescuers saved 28 people from the vessel south of the coastal town of Marsa Alam and some were airlifted to receive medical treatment.

Mr Hanafy said 31 tourists of various nationalities were on board along with 14 crew members.

The governorate received a report of a distress call from the yacht shortly before dawn on Monday, after it left Marsa Alam on Saturday for a five-day journey.

It was not immediately clear what caused the four-deck, wooden-hulled motor yacht to sink. 

According to its maker's website, the Sea Story was built in 2022 and can hold 36 passengers.

The yacht's operator could not immediately be reached.

Mr Hanafy said in a statement Egyptian military units were coordinating rescue operations with the governorate.

Many tourist companies have stopped or limited travelling on the Red Sea due to the dangers from conflicts in the region.

AP/ABC