Shark attacks have been relatively rare in Egypt’s Red Sea coastal region in recent years, but on Sunday, two women were killed by sharks on the same day, while swimming south of the city of Hurghada, in two separate attacks along the coast of Sahi Hasheesh.
A Romanian tourist in her 40’s and a 68-year-old Austrian woman, who was a resident of Egypt living with her Egyptian husband, were found dead.
Attempts were made to resuscitate the tourist, and she was transported to a local private hospital, but she died from her injuries.
The Egyptian Ministry of Environment said an investigation is underway and the beaches have been closed to the public.
On Friday, Red Sea governor Amr Hanafi ordered the closure of all beaches in the area for three days after “an Austrian tourist had her left arm torn off, seemingly in a shark attack.”
Although rare, some attacks have occurred recently. In 2020, a young Ukrainian boy was attacked and lost his arm. Also in 2020, an Egyptian tour guide lost a leg after being attacked by a shark. In 2010, shark attacks killed a European tourist and maimed others off Sharm el-Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula, on the other side of the Red Sea.
Egypt’s Red Sea beach resorts are popular with European tourists, especially divers and snorkelers, who are attracted to the beautiful coral reefs and enchanting beaches. Although sharks are common in the area, they rarely attack people swimming within authorized limits.