Key Takeaways:
– Italian tourist killed, another injured in shark attack off Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
– The attack happened in the northern Marsa Alam area.
– Authorities have suspended swimming in the area for two days.
– Shark attacks in Egypt’s Red Sea are annual incidents, warning of changes in ecosystem and shark behavior.
– The global count of deadly shark attacks doubled in 2023, notably in Australia.
Italian Tourists Encounter Shark Terror
Authorities reported a fatal shark attack off Egypt’s Red Sea coast that resulted in the death of one tourist and injury of another. According to an Italy foreign ministry source, both victims were Italian nationals.
The Incident Details
The alarming incident unfolded in the northern Marsa Alam area. “Two foreigners encountered a shark attack, which led one injured and the other dead,” said a statement from Egypt’s environment ministry. A source at the Italian foreign ministry revealed the deceased was a 48-year-old resident of Rome and the injured man, 69 years old.
Post-attack Measures Taken
Both victims were transported to a hospital in Port Ghalib, approximately 30 miles north of Marsa Alam. In response to the incident, authorities have temporarily halted swimming in the region for two days. The ministry reported that the terrifying incident occurred in “deep waters outside the designated swimming area.”
Regular Incidents & Red Sea’s Importance
Although being a hotspot for tourists who enjoy its rich marine life, the Red Sea also records regular deadly shark attacks. Last month, a large wave capsized a dive boat carrying over 30 tourists off Marsa Alam, killing at least four. The Red Sea also serves as a key employer and foreign currency source for Egypt, a country of 107 million that’s weathering its worst economic crisis ever.
Unregulated practices like over-fishing and irresponsible tourism, along with anarchic construction, have led to changes in the ecosystem and shark behavior, marine experts warn. These unchecked activities contribute to an increased frequency of shark occurrences along Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
Prevailing Shark Menace
In the year 2023 alone, a shark attack claimed a Russian man’s life off the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada. Before that, back in 2022, a week span witnessed two women, an Austrian and a Romanian, lose their lives to two separate shark attacks off the coast of Egypt’s Red Sea.
A young Ukrainian boy had to part with an arm, and an Egyptian tour guide lost a leg in 2020 due to another shark attack in the same region. The shark-infested waters also claimed the lives of a Czech tourist in 2018 and a German tourist in 2015.
Rise in Global Shark Attacks
As per the International Shark Attack File, a University of Florida-managed database of global shark attacks, the count of deadly shark attacks saw a global doubling in 2023 alone. Australia reported a disproportionately high number of incidents.
As authorities strive to regain control over these violent marine encounters, the concern for the safety of Red Sea divers and tourists grows. With unregulated activities creating unforeseen ripple effects in the region’s marine ecosystem, the tourism industry faces the challenge of maintaining its allure while ensuring the safety of its patrons.