Several beaches in Egypt’s Red Sea resort town of Makadi Bay have been temporarily closed due to the presence of sharks, prompting tourist warnings and water activity bans.
Shark Sightings and Beach Closures
Tourists staying in hotels along Makadi Bay on the Red Sea have reported seeing sharks near the shore, leading to the closure of several beaches. According to the Telegram channel Shot, which cited vacationer accounts, the predators were spotted near the bathing areas of numerous hotels, including popular and luxury ones such as Labranda Royal Makadi, Cleopatra Luxury Resort Makadi Bay, and Stella Makadi Hotels & Resorts.
Warnings and Safety Measures
Hotel owners have introduced bans on entering the water, diving, and fishing to protect guests. The Stella Makadi Hotels & Resort beach is set to remain closed until September 20. German tourists managed to record a shark on the mole in the bay. Although some beach restrictions have been lifted, vacationers are still being warned about potential dangers.
Previous Incidents and Species Identified
The portal hurghada24 reports that a tiger shark, a particularly threatening species to humans, may have appeared in Makadi Bay, which is about 30 km south of Hurghada. The last fatal shark attack in the area occurred in June 2023, when a tiger shark attacked a Russian tourist bathing several dozen meters from the shore.
Global Context
Sharks pose a threat to tourists not only in Egypt but also in other parts of the world. Recently, there was a notable case of a child being bitten by an aggressive animal off the coast of Florida, requiring immediate hospital transport and urgent surgery.
