Egypt, a land of ancient wonders, also boasts magnificent coastal destinations attracting millions of visitors yearly. However, like many oceanic regions, it isn’t without its challenges. Shark attacks have raised concerns, while also shedding light on the complex relationship between humans and the marine ecosystem. Stay updated with our weekly details on shark attacks in Egypt. Our aim is to ensure both locals and tourists can enjoy Egypt’s azure waters with informed awareness.
Recent Shark Attacks in Egypt
| Date / Time | Country / Area | Activity | Name | Sex / Age | Injury | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06-08-2023 15h00 | EGYPT ,Red Sea Protectorate | Swimming | Vladmir Popov | M /24 | Fatal | Tiger shark, 13' |
| 07-01-2022 | EGYPT ,Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate | Snorkeling | Roxana Donisan | F /40 | FATAL | Oceaniic whitetip shark/tiger shark |
| 07-01-2022 | EGYPT ,Hurghada, Red Sea Governorate | Swimming | Elisabeth Sauer | F /68 | FATAL | Oceaniic whitetip shark/tiger shark, 2m shark |
| 09-10-2021 | EGYPT | Swimming | Mohamed | M | Laceration to arm caused by metal object | No shark invovlement |
| 12-02-2020 | EGYPT ,South Sinai | Scuba diving | female | F /42 | Left shoulder bitten | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| 10-25-2020 | EGYPT ,South Sinai | Snorkeling | 2 males,1 female | Boy lost arm, dive guide lost leg, | ||
| 11-03-2018 | EGYPT | Scuba diving | male | M | Calf muscle removed | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| 08-03-2018 15h00 | EGYPT | Snorkeling | Petr D. | M /42 | FATAL | Tiger shark |
| 08-05-2017 | EGYPT ,Red Sea Protectorate | Snorkeling | Kirsten Schachinger | F /20 | Bite to right leg/hip | Oceanic whitetip shark, 1.8 to 2 m |
| 06-04-2016 Morning | EGYPT ,Suez | Swimming | Omar Abdel Qader | M /23 | Leg severely bitten, surgically amputated above the knee | Mako shark |
| 03-21-2015 | EGYPT ,Red Sea Protectorate | Swimming | male | M /52 | FATAL | Mako shark |
| 12-05-2010 12h00 | EGYPT ,South Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Renate Seiffert | F /70 | FATAL | Oceanic whitetip shark, 2.5m |
| 12-01-2010 10h55 | EGYPT ,South Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Viktor Koliy | M /46 | Lacerations to right leg | Mako shark |
| 12-01-2010 11h00 | EGYPT ,South Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Yevgeniy (Eugene) Trishkin | M /54 | Both arms severely bitten | Mako shark |
| 11-30-2010 14h55 | EGYPT ,South Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Lyudmila Stolyarova | F /70 | Foot severed, Right forearm severed, lacerations to left hand (defense wounds) | Oceanic whitetip shark, 2.5m, female |
| 11-30-2010 14h40 | EGYPT ,South Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Olga Martsinko | F /48 | Foot and arm bitten | Oceanic whitetip shark, 2.5m, female |
| 10-20-2010 A.M. | EGYPT ,South Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Elena Rubanovich. | F | Multiple lacerations to left leg and foot | |
| 04-04-2010 14h00 | EGYPT ,Sinai Peninsula | Swimming / treading water | James Elliott | M /24 | Lacerations to left ankle and foot | Oceanic whitetip shark, 6' |
| 03-10-2010 | EGYPT ,South Sinai Peninsula | female | F | Apparent drowning, and subsequent scavenging by 16' tiger shark | ||
| 06-02-2009 | EGYPT ,St. Johns Reef | Scuba diving | Nil, a dive guide | M | Lacerations to left hand | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| 06-02-2009 | EGYPT ,St. Johns Reef | Scuba diving | Luc, a Belgian diver | M | 3 cm laceration to shoulder | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| 06-01-2009 Morning | EGYPT ,St. Johns Reef | Snorkeling | Katrina Tipio | F /50 | FATAL | Oceanic whitetip shark, 2.5 to 3m |
| 11-28-2008 Morning | EGYPT ,Red Sea | Scuba diving | female diver | F | Lacerations to fingers | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| 07-18-2008 | EGYPT | Diving | Russian male | M | Leg severed | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| 09-27-2007 07h00 | EGYPT ,Red Sea | Swimming | Kristina Aleksandrova | F /18 | Severe lacerations to lower left leg, ankle and foot | Oceanic whitetip sharks were in the vicinity |
| 07-02-2004 | EGYPT ,Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Mirjam Buser, a Swiss tourist | F | Hand severed | black tipped shark |
| 02-14-2004 | EGYPT | Snorkeling | male | M | FATAL | |
| 01-03-2004 03h00 | EGYPT ,Sinai Peninsula | Air disaster. Flash Airlines Boeing 737 crashed into the Red Sea | 135 passengers & 13 crew | No survivors, sharks scavenged on remains | ||
| 11-06-2003 | EGYPT ,Sinai Peninsula | Snorkeling | Igor Fedorov | M | Hand/elbow injured | 2.5 oceanic whitetip shark |
| 08-11-1997 | EGYPT ,Red Sea | Fishing | Ayman Abul Hassan | M /16 | FATAL | Thought to involve an oceanic whitetip shark or a white shark |
| 08-11-1997 | EGYPT ,Red Sea | Fishing | Nagah Attalah Al Sayed | M /17 | Seriously injured | |
| 09-01-1973 | EGYPT ,Red Sea | Soldier | M | Massive wound on right thigh with femur exposed | Tiger shark | |
| 01-16-1970 | EGYPT ,Red Sea | Air disaster | pilot of Israeli skyhawk | M | FATAL | |
| 01-01-1938 | EGYPT | Sponge diving | males | M | FATAL | |
| 05-15-1915 | EGYPT | Fell overboard | male | M | Shark involvement not confirmed | Shark involvement prior to death unconfirmed |
| 06-18-1908 | EGYPT ,Gulf of Suez | The 168-ton Belmore foundered in heavy seas | Seaman Gray | M | FATAL | |
| 08-24-1905 | EGYPT ,Suez Canal | Human head found in shark caught by British steamer Syria | M | Probable drowning & scavenging. | Tiger shark, 3.9 m | |
| 06-01-1902 | EGYPT ,Mediterranean Sea | Sponge diving | Giorgos | M | Bitten on hand and thigh | |
| 08-08-1899 09h30 | EGYPT ,Mediterranean Sea | Bathing | Arab boy | M /19 | Forearm, wrist & hand bitten | |
| 08-08-1899 11h30 | EGYPT ,Mediterranean Sea | Floating on his back | Arab boy | M /9 | Back muscles torn away | |
| 08-08-1899 08h30 | EGYPT ,Mediterranean Sea | Bathing | Arab boy | M /13 | Left leg bitten | |
| 01-01-1897 | EGYPT ,Mediterranean Sea | Anonymous | No details | |||
| 01-01-1893 | EGYPT ,Mediterranean Sea | No details | No details | |||
| 06-02-1890 | EGYPT | Swimming | male | M | FATAL | |
| 08-22-1867 | EGYPT | Swimming | male | M | FATAL | |
| 01-01-1827 | EGYPT | Two men | M | Remains of the men were recovered from a +17-foot shark | ||
| 06-01-1018 | EGYPT | Scuba Diving | Alexander Kraenkl | M | Laceration to right thigh | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| EGYPT | Spearfishing, but standing in the water | male | M /25 | Ankle and thigh bitten; shark made three strikes | 1.5 m to 2.1 m [5' to 7'] shark, possibly a mako shark | |
| EGYPT | Standing | male | M | Leg bitten |
Why do shark attacks occur in Egypt’s waters?
Shark attacks in the Egypt’s Red Sea coast arise due to a mix of reasons such as mistaken identity, protective behavior, or human disruptions in their natural habitats.
Are certain species of sharks more responsible for attacks in Egypt?
Yes, in Egypt, certain species of sharks have been more frequently associated with attacks. Specifically, the Oceanic Whitetip Shark and the Grey Reef Shark stand out as culprits in several incidents. It’s important to remember, though, that these occurrences are relatively rare considering the number of swimmers in Egypt’s waters.
Are there specific months or seasons when shark attacks in Egypt are more frequent?
There are no specific months or seasons when shark attacks are more frequent in Egypt. The incident rate is low year-round, making Egypt’s waters generally safe for tourists and locals alike throughout all seasons.
