Shark kills tourist in Egypt's Red Sea
An Italian tourist was killed and another injured in a shark attack in the Red Sea off the coast of Egypt on Sunday, according to a source at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, AFP reported.
The Egyptian Ministry of Environment previously announced that two foreign nationals were attacked in the Marsa Alam region by a shark, resulting in injuries to one and the death of the other.
A source at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to AFP that both victims were Italian citizens: a 48-year-old who died and a 69-year-old who sustained injuries.
Following the incident, authorities closed the designated swimming zone for two days. The ministry reported that the attack occurred in deep waters beyond the designated swimming area.
The Red Sea coast is a major tourist destination in Egypt, serving as a key employer and source of foreign exchange for this country of 107 million people grappling with a severe economic crisis.
While sharks are not uncommon in the Red Sea, attacks on swimmers are rare, typically occurring when individuals venture beyond authorized areas.
In June 2023, a Russian tourist was killed by a shark off the coast of Hurghada in the Red Sea, according to authorities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
