Tourist killed, another injured in shark attack off Egypt’s Red Sea coast

CAIRO

One tourist was killed and another injured in a shark attack in Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of Marsa Alam, authorities said on Sunday.

The incident took place in deep waters outside the designated swimming zone north of Marsa Alam, the Ministry of Environment said in a statement.

It did not specify the nationalities of the two victims.

According to the statement, Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad instructed officials to increase readiness levels and immediate follow-up within Red Sea reserves and ordered the formation of an urgent committee to investigate the cause of the attack.

The minister also ordered the closure of the swimming area for two days from Monday.

Marsa Alam is an Egyptian coastal town known for its coral reefs, marine life, and beaches.

Shark attacks are rare in Egypt.

In June 2023, a Russian tourist was killed in a tiger shark attack in the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada.

And in September 2023, an Egyptian woman was injured in another shark attack in Dahab, a well-known Red Sea city in South Sinai.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala