9-6-2023 (CAIRO) Egyptian and Russian authorities have confirmed the death of a Russian man who was mauled by a shark at one of Egypt’s Red Sea resorts. The incident took place near the city of Hurghada, where the victim was attacked by a tiger shark while in the water. Egypt’s environment ministry promptly closed off a 46-mile (74km) stretch of the coastline and declared it off-limits until Sunday.
Following the attack, the ministry managed to capture the shark and transported it to a laboratory for examination. The goal is to determine the reasons behind this rare occurrence and gain insights into the incident.
While the Russian consulate in Hurghada confirmed the nationality of the victim, they did not disclose his name. Russian news agency Tass reported that the deceased was a Russian man born in 1999, residing in Egypt full-time rather than being a tourist.
A video circulating online, which purportedly captures the attack, shows a man struggling in the water while being repeatedly targeted by a circling shark before being dragged beneath the surface.
A diver who arrived at the scene shortly after the attack recounted how bystanders rushed to assist the victim upon the alert raised by a lifeguard from a nearby hotel. However, their efforts proved futile as they were unable to reach him in time.
In response to the incident, the Russian consulate issued a statement on its official Telegram channel, urging Russian tourists to exercise caution while in the water and strictly adhere to any swimming bans imposed by local authorities.
Shark attacks are uncommon in the Red Sea coastal regions. However, in 2022, Hurghada witnessed two fatal shark attacks within days of each other, involving an Austrian and a Romanian woman. Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, including Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, are renowned for their beautiful beaches and are popular destinations among European tourists. Divers are particularly drawn to the region’s vibrant coral reefs and the abundance of marine life.Tiger sharks are large species found in tropical and temperate waters. They are frequently mentioned by the International Shark Attack File in relation to unprovoked attacks on humans.
