The shocking incident took place on Sunday, December 29.
A tourist has been killed and another injured following a shark attack off the coast of Egypt, according to officials.
Egypt’s environment ministry issued a statement on Sunday, December 29, detailing the tragic incident in the resort town of Marsa Alam, marking the area’s first shark attack since 2020.
The ministry stated: “Two foreigners were attacked by a shark in the northern Marsa Alam area, resulting in one fatality and one injury.”
The attack occurred in deep waters, outside the designated swimming area, and involved two tourists, who have been identified as Italian nationals by the BBC via AFP.
It is believed that the man who died was 48 years old and a resident of Rome, while the injured man is reported to be 69 years old, according to AFP.
Egyptian officials have stated that both individuals were transported to a hospital in Port Ghalib, located 30 miles north of Marsa Alam.
In response to the attack, the resort town’s swimming area has been closed, and authorities are currently investigating the incident.
Swimming out from the jetties has been prohibited for two days starting today, December 30, as part of safety measures following the attack. There are also warnings against swimming near piers.
Following the incident, Environment Minister Dr. Yasmine Fouad issued a statement raising the state of alert in the Red Sea nature reserves. She confirmed that an urgent committee would be formed to collaborate with the Red Sea Governorate and other authorities to thoroughly investigate the attack.
Authorities are currently assessing the conditions in the area and surrounding zones to ensure safety.
While shark attacks are extremely rare worldwide, the last incident in the Red Sea occurred in June 2023 near Hurghada, Egypt, where a Russian man in his mid-20s was killed by a Tiger Shark, according to the Shark Research Institute.
Though most sharks do not actively seek out humans, the few involved in attacks leave a lasting impact. This incident marks the fifth fatality from shark attacks in the region over the past decade.
