Egypt’s Red Sea tourism faces challenges with deadly boating accidents and shark attacks, yet the sector shows remarkable resilience in recovering and rebuilding.

The Red Sea, a major draw for Egypt’s tourism sector known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy. However, recent incidents involving boating accidents and shark attacks have raised concerns, casting a shadow over the region’s tourism industry.

In the past, Egypt’s tourism has faced challenges from attacks by Islamist militant groups on foreigners, which damaged the reputation of popular attractions like the Great Pyramids of Giza and Nile cruises. These setbacks caused a decline in international visitors, though Egypt’s tourism sector has shown resilience.

Boating Incidents:

1. “Sindbad” Submarine Disaster: On March 27, 2025, the tourist submarine “Sindbad” sank off the coast of Hurghada, resulting in six Russian tourists’ deaths and several injuries. The vessel, which carried 50 people, including tourists from Russia, India, Norway, and Sweden, sank, but authorities rescued 39 people and began an investigation into the cause.
2. “Sea Story” Yacht Capsizes: On November 25, 2024, a tourist yacht named “Sea Story” capsized near Marsa Alam during a diving trip, resulting in four drownings. The boat was hit by high waves and sank within minutes, leaving several passengers missing. Thirty-three people were rescued with minor injuries.
3. “Hurricane” Boat Fire: On June 11, 2023, a fire broke out on a motorboat named “Hurricane” near Marsa Shagra, north of Marsa Alam. Twelve British tourists were rescued, but three tragically died after being initially reported missing.
4. Tourist Boat Sinks (2015): In 2015, a boat carrying 26 French tourists sank after hitting coral reefs, with 36 people being rescued.

Shark Attacks:

1. Italian Tourist Killed in Shark Attack: On December 29, 2024, an Italian tourist was fatally attacked by a shark at Marsa Alam resort, and another tourist was injured.
2. Russian Citizen Killed by Tiger Shark: On June 9, 2023, a Russian tourist was killed by a tiger shark near Hurghada.
3. Two Women Killed by Sharks: On July 3, 2022, two women were killed in separate shark attacks south of Hurghada, both attacks occurring within a short distance of each other.
4. Shark Attack in Sharm el-Sheikh: On December 5, 2010, a German tourist was killed by a shark in Sharm el-Sheikh, sparking media speculation about the causes of such attacks.

Islamist Militant Attacks on Tourists:

1. Russian Metrojet Flight 9268 Crash: On October 31, 2015, a Russian airliner crashed in the Sinai Peninsula after a bomb likely caused the explosion.
2. Taba Bus Bombing: On February 16, 2014, a suicide bombing targeted a tourist bus in Taba, killing three South Korean tourists and an Egyptian driver. The jihadist group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis, based in the Sinai region, took responsibility for the attack.
3. Luxor Massacre: On November 17, 1997, a group of militants attacked foreign tourists at the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, killing 58 tourists and four Egyptians. The al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya group took credit for the massacre.

Despite these challenges, Egypt has managed to implement successful anti-terrorism measures, contributing to a gradual recovery in the tourism sector.