Kategorie: News
Shark attacks swimmer off the coast of Dahab
Yesterday, Wednesday 13 September 2023, an Egyptian swimmer was attacked by a shark in the shallow waters off a beach in Dahab. The shark inflicted a deep bite wound to the woman's chest/belly area and bit off an arm. Despite these most serious injuries, the swimmer made it back to the beach and was rushed to a clinic after the emergency chain was alerted. Her condition was described as stable and there is no danger to her life.
Following the incident, the local authorities in Dahab immediately closed the affected beach section and neighbouring beach areas - from the Lighthouse Reef to the Three Pools. Further incidents were to be prevented. In addition, a fleet of ships (authorities, fishermen and private boats) went out to hunt the shark. Eyewitnesses reported a good 50 vessels in the area of the shark attack searching for the shark. A rather pointless undertaking, but one that is carried out as an arguably "standardised actionism" for every shark attack in Egypt.
Heba Matouk, spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Environment, explains that the ministry has not yet determined a duration for the closure of the beach. The situation is still being assessed.
The attack occurred in relatively shallow water; some sources also speak of a swimming area marked by buoys. A report in the local press said the water was about 70 cm deep. The species of shark is not certain, but other reports spoke of a tiger shark. In addition, feeding was mentioned as the cause; however, these as well as the shark species are unconfirmed reports.
Further publications on this subject area
https://taucher.net/diveinside-hurghada__deadly_shark_attack-kaz9031
https://taucher.net/diveinside-shark_feeding_and_its_consequences-kaz9043
https://taucher.net/diveinside-killer_sharks_in_the_red_sea_-kaz8809