A tourist died and another was injured in a shark attack off Egypt’s Red Sea coast, officials said Sunday.
“Two foreigners were attacked by sharks in the northern Marsa Alam area, injuring one and killing the other,” the country’s environment ministry said in a statement.
According to Italian media, both men were Italian citizens.
What we know about shark attacks
Egypt’s environment ministry said the attack occurred in deep water outside a designated swimming area near the piers in the popular resort city of Marsa Alam.
A 48-year-old man from Rome died while diving, Italian news agency ANSA reported. He was celebrating Christmas in Egypt with his family and celebrated his birthday on 21 December.
An injured 69-year-old man was taken to a hospital in Port Ghalib.
Meanwhile, authorities have closed the area for swimmers for two days following the incident.
The marine life of the Red Sea makes it popular among diverse people. Shark encounters are relatively rare in the Red Sea.
dvv/lo (AFP, dpa, Reuters)