Beaches in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheikh are to reopen after new safety measures were put in an effort to ensure the safety of swimmers against shark attacks.
Many of the Red Sea resort’s main beaches were closed to swimmers and snorkellers after a 70-year-old German woman was killed and four other tourists were injured in a series of attacks a week ago.
South Sinai governor Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shousha said watch stations manned by divers would be set up to monitor the coast and that speed boats would continuously patrol the waters.
Swimmers will also have to remain within designated areas and refrain from feeding sharks.
“We have allowed the beaches to reopen on condition hotel owners adhere to new controls to ensure the safety of foreign tourists while diving or swimming,” he said.
An investigation is underway to find out what caused the sharks’ behaviour. Experts and local observers have speculated that overfishing in the Red Sea may have driven sharks closer to shore.
Egypt has been concerned about the impact of the shark attacks on tourism ahead of the peak Christmas and new year holiday period.