Hurghada imposes stricter “beach” laws after the death of two female tourists from a shark attack. For the most part, these rules will apply to all types of marine recreation – from diving to fishing, and also regulate the work of lifeguards on beaches. The rules come after a series of wild shark attacks in Sahl Hasheesh Bay, south of Hurghada.
It will be recalled that more than a week ago, the Ministry of Environment of Egypt announced the suspension of marine activities in the Sahl-Hashish area of Hurghada, as well as the closure of all beaches after two women were attacked by sharks. On Friday, a shark attacked a tourist bathing in the very south of Hurghada in the Sahl Hashish Bay area, right on the beach of a luxury hotel. As a result of the predator’s attack, she received terrible injuries – the shark bit off her arm and leg. The victim was taken to the hospital, but it was too late: according to Egyptian media, the woman died from her injuries. They also specified that the deceased was a tourist from the EU, a citizen of Austria. She was the first victim of a sea predator. Later it became known about the second tourist who was attacked and died – a citizen of Romania. Read the details at the link.
As a result, the governor of the Red Sea province introduced emergency measures. In particular, the resort prohibits all marine activities unless it has the appropriate license. Including diving, snorkeling, and fishing. As experts explain, it is unlicensed tours that often take tourists to places that are threatened by predators.
The second point of the rules – all hotels along the coast of the Red Sea were required to exhibit a sufficient number of qualified lifeguards who have the necessary courses and certificates. We will remind that the eyewitnesses of the tragic incident with the Austrian tourist complained about the extremely slow work of the rescue services.