Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
An Egyptian appellate court has ruled in favor of the family of a Austrian tourist who died following a shark attack in the Red Sea resort area of Sahl Hasheesh, awarding civil compensation of one million Egyptian pounds. The verdict was issued by the Court of Appeal convening at the North Cairo Courthouse complex in Abbasiya.
The ruling caps a legal battle initiated by the victim’s family after the tragic incident, which reignited debate over safety measures and emergency preparedness at Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, a major hub for international tourism.
The case was brought forward by the family’s lawyer, who filed a lawsuit against multiple parties deemed responsible for the incident. Those named in the suit included the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the Minister of Environment, the Governor of the Red Sea, and the legal representative of a development company overseeing the hotel where the tourist had been staying.
The incident dates back to 2022, when the tourist identified as a 68 years old Austrian national was swimming off the coast of Sahl Hasheesh. She was suddenly attacked by a shark, suffering a severe injury to her arm. Despite managing to escape the shark’s reach and swim back toward the shore, she received no immediate assistance from hotel supervisors or on-duty beach rescue personnel. She died on her way to the hospital.
According to the lawsuit, the hotel allegedly failed to provide adequate lifesaving equipment or emergency support that matched the gravity of her injuries. The plaintiff argued that the lack of timely rescue measures and insufficient preparedness contributed to the deterioration of the victim’s condition, ultimately leading to her death.
The court’s decision to grant the family one million pounds in compensation reflects judicial acknowledgment of negligence related to safety and emergency response protocols. The verdict is expected to prompt renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations across Egypt’s Red Sea coastline, particularly as the region continues to attract millions of tourists annually for diving and water sports.
Tourism and environmental authorities have previously issued guidelines aimed at reducing risks associated with shark encounters, including monitoring migration patterns and regulating beach activities. The incident and now the ruling highlights the ongoing need for resorts and coastal facilities to adhere strictly to safety standards and ensure that trained rescue personnel and proper emergency equipment are consistently available.
The case may also influence future liability considerations for tourism establishments operating in sensitive marine environments, reinforcing expectations of heightened responsibility and rapid response in the event of emergencies.
