An Italian tourist, Gianluca Di Gioia, lost his life in a shark attack in the Red Sea on Sunday, 28 December. A second Italian tourist, aged 69 and originally from Genivolta in the province of Cremona, was injured in the incident.
The attack occurred near Marsa Alam, a popular resort town in eastern Egypt known for its marine life and diving opportunities. According to Egypt’s environment ministry, the incident took place in deep waters outside the designated swimming zones.
Gianluca Di Gioia celebrated his 48th birthday just days earlier on 21 December. He was a scientist employed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre. Based in France with his wife, who is of French origin, he was on holiday with his family at the time of the shark attack.
Di Gioia and the injured tourist, whose identity has not been disclosed, were scuba diving when the shark struck. Both were rushed to a hospital in Port Ghalib, approximately 50 kilometres north of Marsa Alam, but Di Gioia succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities in Marsa Alam have closed swimming areas and launched an investigation into the attack.
Shark Attacks in the Red Sea
Shark attacks are a rare but recurring danger in Egypt’s Red Sea waters. Over the past decade, four fatalities have been confirmed, including this latest incident. The most recent prior attack occurred in June 2023 near Hurghada and claimed the life of a 23-year-old Russian man.
Marine experts point to factors such as overfishing, unregulated construction, and irresponsible tourism practices as causes for altered shark behaviour and increased interactions with humans.
The Red Sea is home to a variety of shark species, many of which are not typically dangerous to humans. However, some species found in the region include:
- Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus): Known for its bold nature, this species has been linked to several Red Sea incidents.
- Grey Reef Shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos): Often seen by divers, these sharks are usually shy but can become territorial if provoked.
- Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna species): Known for their distinctive head shape, they are generally not aggressive unless threatened.
- Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier): A large predator with a reputation for unpredictable behaviour.
These sharks are vital to the marine ecosystem, but human activity and environmental changes may be disrupting their natural behaviour.
