When Sharks Make the Headlines: A Sad Day in the Red Sea
On August 6, 2018, a Czech tourist met an unexpected end while bathing in the warm waters off Egypt’s coast. According to city officials, the unfortunate man was killed by a shark about 20 kilometres north of Marsa Alam.
What Went Down?
Chairman General Atef Wagdy told the AFP that the death was a direct result of a shark attack. He added that the health ministry is coordinating the hand‑over of the body to the Czech embassy. Local news reported that human remains were spotted on a beach over the weekend.
The Investigation
The environment ministry has rolled out a committee to get to the bottom of this incident and will publish a formal report once it’s completed. “There’s nothing wrong with diving here,” Wagdy admitted, “but swimmers who venture beyond the coral can become easy targets.”
Red Sea Sharks: A Not‑So‑Quiet Past
- 2015: A German tourist lost his life off the Red Sea – the first death in five years.
- 2010: Six shark attacks in Egyptian waters, including a double fatality on the same day.
- 2010: A week-long beach closure in Sharm el‑Sheikh after a spate of attacks.
- 2017: Egypt welcomed 8.3 million visitors, up 54 % from 2016.
- 2015: A bombing of a Russian flight from Sharm el‑Sheikh killed all 224 on board.
Tourism: Rising & Recovering
After the 2011 uprising that toppled President Hosni Mubarak, the country’s tourism sector has been on a comeback trail. Travel agencies, hotel managers, and diving centres reported increased bookings earlier this year, especially at Red Sea hotspots like Marsa Alam and Hurghada.
