One of three British victims of Egypt boat fire named as Christina Quinn

One of the three British people who died after a fire on a diving boat in Egypt has been named as Christina Quinn, who was the head of a hospice in Plymouth.

The 58-year-old was on a medium-sized scuba diving boat called Hurricane that burst into flames in the Red Sea off the resort town of Marsa Alam on Sunday.

Twelve other people on the scuba diving holiday and 14 crew members were rescued from the ship after the fire broke out.

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, where Ms Quinn was chief executive, confirmed she had died in the incident.

In a statement released by the hospice, a spokesperson for her family said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the tragic death of Christina Quinn in Egypt.

“She was a sister, daughter, wife, aunty, friend, and rock to many.

“She will be missed beyond words. We would ask for privacy at this time.”

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Ms Quinn took up her role as chief executive at the hospice in May this year following a long career in the NHS, where she was most recently director of NHS South West Leadership Academy.

Charles Hackett, chairman of St Luke’s trustees, said the hospice was “devastated” to lose Ms Quinn’s “warmth, wisdom and leadership”.

“Before her recent appointment, Christina had served for six years in a voluntary capacity as chair of St Luke’s board, working closely with the senior management team and her fellow trustees and earning their respect, trust and appreciation,” Mr Hackett said.

“With her vibrant and engaging personality and her down to earth, caring nature, as CEO she was quickly building strong and meaningful relationships both inside and outside the organisation.

“We will miss Christina enormously and our hearts go out to her family and close friends at this tragic time.”

The three passengers who died were among 15 qualified diving enthusiasts who were on a week’s stay on board the Hurricane dive boat. Egyptian authorities said on Sunday that the fire had been caused by an electrical short circuit on board.

A spokesman for Scuba Travel previously said that at the time the fire broke out, the other 12 divers were participating in a briefing on board, while those missing had decided not to dive that morning.

“Our sincere and heartfelt condolences go out to their families and friends at this very sad time.”