A shark attack off Egypt's Red Sea coast killed one tourist and injured another, the country's environment ministry confirmed on Sunday.
"Two foreigners were attacked by a shark in the northern Marsa Alam area, which led to the injury of one and the death of the other," the ministry said in a statement.
The victims' nationalities were not disclosed by the Egyptian authorities. The injured tourists were transported to a hospital in Port Ghalib, located around 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Marsa Alam.
In response to the incident, authorities shut down the area to swimmers for two days. The attack occurred in "deep waters outside the designated swimming area," according to the ministry.
The Red Sea remains a popular tourist destination, attracting divers with its rich marine life. It also plays a key role in Egypt’s economy, providing employment and foreign currency for the country, which is currently grappling with its worst economic crisis.
This incident follows a tragic event last month when at least four people died after a large wave capsized a dive boat with more than 30 tourists off Marsa Alam.
Shark attacks are a recurrent issue in Egypt's Red Sea, where marine experts point to unregulated construction, over-fishing, and irresponsible tourism practices as factors influencing the ecosystem and shark behaviour. In June 2023, a shark attack claimed the life of a Russian tourist in the Red Sea resort city of Hurghada.
