Tourist Fatality and Injury in Shark Encounter off Egypt's Red Sea Coast

A horrifying incident unfolded on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, resulting in the death of a tourist and severe injury to another. Both individuals involved in this tragic event have been identified as Italians by a source from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Egyptian Ministry of Environment released a statement detailing that a shark attacked two foreign nationals in the waters north of Marsa Alam, leading to one fatality and one injury.

According to an informant from Italy's foreign ministry, the deceased was a 48-year-old man from Rome, while the injured party is a man aged 69.

Both victims were transported to a medical facility in Port Ghalib, which lies approximately 30 miles from the site of the attack in Marsa Alam, as confirmed by the Egyptian authorities.

Following the incident, swimming in the vicinity has been prohibited for a period of two days. The Ministry indicated that the attack transpired in deeper waters, outside the official swimming zones.

Known for its diverse marine life, the Red Sea is a significant draw for tourists, especially those interested in diving.

This region is not only a crucial hub for tourism but also plays an essential role in the Egyptian economy, which is currently attempting to recover from a severe financial downturn.

Previous incidents underscore the frequency of such occurrences: last month, a fatal mishap involving a wave occurred in the same region, causing at least four fatalities among over 30 tourists.

Experts have noted that lethal shark attacks are almost an annual reality in the Red Sea. They caution that factors such as unchecked development, excessive fishing, and irresponsible tourist operations may alter the marine ecosystem and modify shark actions.

In a separate incident in June 2023, a Russian man was attacked by a shark near Hurghada, a Red Sea resort city.

The year 2022 also witnessed two tragic shark-related fatalities, involving an Austrian and a Romanian woman, occurring within a span of a week off the Egyptian Red Sea.

There was a notable shark-related incident in 2020 in the same vicinity, resulting in grave consequences for a young victim.

Looking back to 2018, a similar instance resulted in the death of a Czech tourist at a Red Sea shoreline. Comparable events include a 2015 shark attack that killed a German holidaymaker.

The year 2023 has witnessed a surge in deadly shark encounters, particularly in Australia, as reported by the International Shark Attack File managed by the University of Florida.