Shark Beaten to Death by Mob in Egypt's Red Sea After Eating Russian Man

A shark dragged a Russian man in deep water and mauled him to death in Egypt's Red Sea, it was reported on Friday, June 9. The horrific incident was caught on video showing that the man was struggling when he surfaced and was heard screaming "papa" before the sea turned red.

The swimmer's girlfriend managed to escape scene as the victim's father and other onlookers remained helpless.

Following the incident, the shark was beaten to death by a mob after the marine animal was dragged into the shore by local fishermen.

Yet, it is still unclear if it was the same shark that feasted on the man identified by media as Vladimir Popov. The shark's carcass was taken in by local authorities for examination, while the Popov's body will be sent back to Russia, reports say.

Experts have asserted that fatal shark attacks are rare. However, several related incidents of deadly encounters have been reported worldwide, including in Egypt, over the past year, where two foreigners were killed in separate shark attacks near Hurghada. This led to the temporary closure of beaches along Egypt's coastal side along the Red Sea.

Russian Man Shark Attack

Tourists watched in horror when the predator, identified by Egypt's environment ministry on Facebook as a tiger shark, circled around Popov and attacked him several times in the waters off the Egyptian resort of Hurghada. The creature's fin and tail were also visible in the short clips.

Graphic videos of the incident that surfaced online, including on YouTube, did not showed how the man got into the situation in the first place, but reports say he was wounded first by the shark before being dragged into deeper water.

A diver came into the scene after the attack and stated beachgoers rushed to help the victim when a lifeguard from a nearby hotel sounded the alarm. However, they were too late already, the Mirror U.K. reported.

Shark Mob Attack

As mentioned earlier, the suspected shark died after it was "clubbed to death" based on a separate video which allegedly showed the responsible tiger shark being caught and dragged on a boat into the shore while still alive, the U.K. media outlet added.

The attack at the Red Sea resort was also confirmed by Russia's Consulate General in Hurghada and two Egyptian security sources, Reuters reported. Following the attack, local officials banned snorkeling, swimming, and other recreational activities on several beaches near the site, the statement adds.

2022 Egypt Shark Attacks

In 2022, violent shark attack incidents rocked Egypt after an Austrian and Romanian tourists also swimming in the Red Sea died near the resort town in July. A Mako shark was reportedly responsible for the death of the 68-year-old Austrian woman, who lose one of her arms and legs, The Associated Press said.

During that time, water sports and related activities, as well as fishing, were banned by authorities in the waters off Hurdghada.