Tiger Shark Attack in Hurghada: Russian Man Fatally Attacked
In a tragic incident at a beach in Hurghada, Egypt, a tiger shark attacked and killed a Russian man while he was swimming. The horrifying incident took place on Thursday, witnessed by a crowd that included the victim’s own father. Video footage circulating online captures the chaotic scene, with a massive splash and distressed onlookers screaming for help.
Heartbreakingly, one witness who recorded the incident can be heard saying, “It’s eating his remains now.” The Egyptian environment ministry confirmed on Facebook that the man’s death was caused by a tiger shark near the Elysees Dream Beach hotel in the popular resort of Hurghada.
The victim, initially identified as a 23-year-old Russian named V. Popov, was later revealed to be Vladimir Popov. According to Russia’s consul general in Hurghada, Popov had been living in Egypt for several months and was not a tourist, as reported by the Daily Beast. Thankfully, Popov’s girlfriend managed to escape the water unharmed.
Witnesses at the scene claimed to have made desperate attempts to help Popov but were unable to save him. One witness told Russia’s REN-TV station, “It happened in a second. Rescuers reacted very quickly. For some reason, I immediately felt that it was a shark. I immediately jumped up and started shouting: ‘Sharks, sharks! Save yourself!’ Nobody understood yet.”
Another woman recounted the horrifying ordeal, saying, “It’s a terrible thing, the remains of this guy are over there. I’m shaking. Right in front of my eyes, the shark ate that guy. I think I need a drink. I feel really bad,” as reported by the Telegram channel Baza.
Following the incident, authorities captured the shark responsible and transferred it to a laboratory for examination. This step was taken to gather essential information and determine the possible causes of the attack. As a precautionary measure, water activities in the area were restricted until Sunday.
While shark attacks are rare in the Red Sea coastal regions, Hurghada experienced two attacks last year, resulting in the deaths of an Austrian and a Romanian tourist. The recent incident serves as a tragic reminder of the unpredictable nature of marine environments and the importance of taking necessary precautions while enjoying beach activities.
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