Austrian bather dies after shark rips off limbs at Red Sea resort

A WOMAN has died after being attacked by a shark which tore off her arm and leg at a popular beach in Egypt, local reports said.

The 68-year-old Austrian, who has not been named, managed to swim to shore and was put into an ambulance but subsequently died of a heart attack.

Video footage of the attack showed the water turn red with blood as horrified tourists looked on. Russian tourists can be heard complaining about the lack of lifeguards.

The incident unfolded near the Red Sea resort of Sahl Hasheesh. Egyptian authorities have since closed the beach.

In the footage posted online panicked Russian tourists can be heard saying: “Holy f---, she’s covered in blood, holy f---. The shark bit her arm off. Holy f---. Where is the rescue team? She’s going to f------ die.”

One man can be seen throwing a rope as the woman, who local reports said was married to an Egyptian, bravely swims back. When she reached the beach attempts were made to resuscitate her but she died in the ambulance.

Shark attacks are rare in Egypt but the Red Sea contains reef sharks and oceanic white tip sharks. In 2020, a Ukrainian child and his tour guide lost limbs in an attack at the Ras Mohammed resort.

The issue of shark attacks also became a heated debate in Egypt in 2010 when five occurred in as many days. Three Russians, one Ukrainian and one German tourist were wounded.

Scientists say sharks do not regard humans as a food source but may attack if they feel threatened or cornered in the water.

Attacks may also occur if a shark confuses a human for its normal prey.