There are two popular wrecks in Hurghada harbour - the El Mina minesweeper and within a minute dive the Mohamed Hasabella fishing vessel. The El Mina lies in about 32 metres depth, while the Mohamed Hasabella is slightly deeper at 34 metres. The bottom is made of hard coral mounts and is slightly undulating.
The El Mina is a Russian made T-43 minesweeper, which were built between 1947 and 1957. The Russian navy built a 178 of them, designed for twin duties of harbour protection / patrolling and mine clearing. Typically armed with 4 anti-aircraft guns, a depth charge launcher and up to 32 mines. Seven of these minesweepers were sold to the Egyptian navy in the 1960's.
Based on a number of interviews and some cross-referencing of information, the following story emerges (however, it can't be fully verified). In November 1966, Egypt had signed the "mutual defence agreement" with Syria. In early 1967, a number of attacks and incidents between the PLO and Israel, as well as between Jordan and Israel, meant the tension in the area was rising.
In May 1967, Gamel Abdel Nasser received false intelligence from his Russian allies, that Israel was amassing troops near the Syrian border, getting ready to attack. Nasser gave orders to start assembling troops on Sinai and he expelled the UN troops. The El Mina was given orders to protect Hurghada Harbour and Airport, but it was a "token" force, as the majority of the Egyptian forces (100,000 of 160,000 were deployed in Sinai) and the navy was to protect the army plus other critical installations.
On June 4th, Israel launched Operation Focus, the start of the 6 day war. A surprise air attack to disable the Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian Air Forces by destroying their planes and critical airfields. Major General Mordechai Hod launched the attack early on June 5th. The Israeli Air Force destroyed 18 airfields and 452 enemy planes. The Egyptian air defence system had been shut down during the time (two senior Egyptian Generals were on their own planes flying to Sinai to their troops - and the Egyptian Air Defence were afraid to shoot down their own generals) , allowing the IAF easy access.
After controlling the air space over Sinai, the following day June 6th, the IAF wave flew into Hurghada, seeing the El Mina moored in the bombing flight line. Three IAF jets came in low. They were spotted by the Captain of the El Mina who gave immediate order for battle stations and full power. However, she was moored both from the stern and bow, which meant she was not manoeuvrable. One of the IAF jets struck two large holes into her starboard side. She quickly took on water and sank - there were no reported deaths.