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Sharm shark attacks prompt insurance warning from FCO

Travel advice to Egypt has been revised in the wake of shark attacks on swimmers in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh.


The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned travellers that their travel insurance fully covers adventure activities such as diving and snorkelling.


This came after a German tourist was killed by a shark while swimming off the resort at the weekend.


The 70-year-old woman is the fifth person to be attacked on the same stretch of coast in a week.


In one of the previous cases a swimmer had an arm bitten off while another lost a foot.


Diving and water sports in the area were suspended last Wednesday following reports that three Russian tourists had been attacked by what is believed to be a single adult oceanic white tip shark.


All three were treated in hospital, with one of the injured reported to be in a critical condition.


“The ban is likely to remain until the shark is caught,” the FCO said. “Attacks by oceanic white tip sharks are extremely rare and shark attacks of any kind are very unusual in the Red Sea.


“If you are considering diving or snorkelling in any of the Red Sea resorts be aware that safety standards of diving operators can vary considerably.


“A basic rule is never to dive or snorkel unaccompanied. Where possible make any bookings through your tour representative.


“Unusually cheap operators may not provide adequate safety and insurance standards.

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