TWO Britains still missing after a tourist boat sank in Egypt have been named as a couple from Ashburton.

Jenny Dawson, 36, and Tarig Sinada, 49, were on a reef safari holiday when the 144ft yacht Sea Story they were on capsized during a trip on the Red Sea.

The couple are described as adventure-loving and are experienced divers having worked as scuba diving instructors together around the world.

It is feared they have drowned after Egyptian authorities said they are among seven passengers who have not yet been accounted for.

Their family say they are desperate for news.

So far, 33 people have been rescued and four are confirmed to have died in the tragedy after the vessel, sank.

Ms Cawson’s family told the BBC on Saturday they are continuing to receive daily updates from the Foreign Office but voiced their frustration as there was ‘still no news’.

Ms Cawson’s father Michael Williams said: ‘Tariq’s mother messaged us that the Sea Story sank in the Red Sea and asked me if I knew the name of the boat.

‘We were just in disbelief, it’s one of those moments when the world stops.’

Ms Cawson’s mother Pamela told the BBC she recognised the name of the boat as the couple had been in touch when they arrived in the Red Sea.

She said: ‘Your heart sinks. You ask yourself, have I misread the news? Let’s look again.’

The family said they approached local sources in Egypt in an attempt to locate their loved ones.

‘One of the local sources was kind enough to try and look for them in local hospitals,’ Ms Cawson’s mother said.

She added the couple always carried out research before they embarked on a trip.

‘Everything Jenny and her husband do is highly considered; they do proper research before travelling anywhere. They are not the type of people who take anything at face value,’ she said.

Ms Cawson, who works for the Devon Wildlife Trust, and Mr Sinada, an IT professional, are both experienced scuba divers.

A spokesperson for Mr Sinada’s employer Tata Consultancy Services said in a statement: ‘The incident that took place in the Red Sea is tragic and our thoughts are with Tariq’s family and all those impacted.

‘We hope for his safe return, along with all other passengers.’

Family member Karen Wilson-Pereira appealed on social media for help.

She wrote: ‘As many of you may be aware, Jenny and Tarig are the two missing brits on the Sea Story boat that capsized in the Red Sea.

‘As a family we are battling with the authorities to get the true facts and information that we need and deserve.

‘In desperation we have resorted to our own fact finding mission, and with the power of social media we are crying out for your help.

‘We are asking you to share this post in the hope that the family and friends of the survivors, missing, or deceased get in contact with us via messenger.’