Two women killed in shark attacks in Egypt’s Red Sea

Tourists snorkel near a beach at the Red Sea resort of Sahl Hasheesh, in Hurghada, Egypt, on January 8, 2020. (Reuters) — Two women have been killed in shark attacks in Egypt’s Red Sea, south of the city of Hurghada, the Egyptian Environment Ministry said on Sunday. Two sources told Reuters the body of a Romanian tourist in her 40s was discovered hours after the attack that left a 68-year-old Austrian woman dead. The attacks occurred within 600 meters of each other, off the coast of Sahl Hasheesh, according to the sources. The ministry said in its statement that a committee had been formed to examine the circumstances of the attacks and the possible scientific reasons behind them. He also mentioned that the governor of the Red Sea Governorate, Major General Amr Hanafi, has issued an order to suspend all activity in the area surrounding the attacks. The first victim was taken to a local private hospital, a source with the Red Sea Health Affairs Directorate told Reuters. She added that attempts were made to revive her, but she died from her injuries. A security source also added that the Austrian woman had been living in Egypt for the past five years with her Egyptian husband.