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Photo: Snorkeling in Egypt (pixabay.com)
Tourists injured while diving
Egyptian authorities spoke about the shark attack on tourists at a local spa and the condition of the victims. In addition to the Ukrainians, the local guide also suffered from the attack of the marine predator.
It was learned that the victims were saved by a safety boat. They were taken to a medical center in Sharm el-Sheikh and now all three are in stable condition.
Egypt’s Environment Ministry has promised to reveal the results of the investigation next Sunday.
Photo: The underwater world of the Red Sea (pixabay.com)
What’s new about the incident
Head of the Nature Protection Agency of the Ministry of the Environment Mohamed salem reported that three people were injured in the attack, including a Ukrainian mother and son, as well as an Egyptian guide. He stressed that his condition is stable.
The official explained that the three were about to dive in a tourist boat and, during the shark attack, the guide began to scream. Then a safety boat arrived and rescued them. Previously, Egyptian officials commented on the incident anonymously. It is known that the guide of the Ukrainian family, with whom they started diving, lost a leg.
A preliminary investigation by the ministry revealed that the tourists were attacked by a two meter long shark, one of the most dangerous for divers. Video recorded before the attack shows that the predator was aggressive.
Mohamed Salem added that sharks naturally found in the Red Sea are marine predators and cause serious injury when attacked.
“Egypt has one of the 30 most famous shark species in the world that attack people,” the minister said.
After the power incident temporarily closed the territory of the national park “Ras Mohammed” as well as several hotel beaches in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Photo: Sharm el-Sheikh Egyptian complex (pixabay.com)
What diving is prohibited
According to the preliminary version, Ukrainian tourists were injured during snorkeling, diving with masks, they did so at their own risk in a forbidden area.
“Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that since November 1, 2019, the South Sinai authorities have introduced a ban on water sports, including diving and snorkeling from boats for people without the corresponding certificates. “recalls the State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine.
The ban is in effect on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula, covering the area from the Ras Mohammed reserve in the south to the city of Taba on the border with Israel. It is associated with the risk of divers destroying unique coral reefs.
People without a certificate have the right to practice underwater sports only in coastal areas, in specially equipped areas along the hotels.
According to the tour operator “JoinUp!”, At first the tourists tried to buy a tour at the hotel, and after refusing they went diving with a guide they found alongside.
Photo: Underwater world in Ras Mohammed (see news)
Why the insurance doesn’t work
Not all tourists know that for such extreme entertainment Separate insurance is required. The Egyptian government began to pay for the treatment of Ukrainian tourists and for surgical interventions. After all, the insurance they bought for the tour does not cover the treatment of their injuries.
Conventional travel insurance does not cover sports trips. Therefore, injuries sustained during extreme entertainment can remain uncompensated, insurance companies say.
When going on vacation, you can buy an insurance policy with extreme sports in mind: it can be 20-30% more expensive than classic travel insurance, says RBC-Ukraine in a comment. Lesya Shcherbakova, executive director of SC “Providna”.
Such insurance is necessary if a tourist is going to practice diving, rafting, skydiving or skiing.
“But if a tourist gets dislocated in the pool, then these are non-sports injuries. This is classic insurance coverage. But first, the tourist will be tested for alcohol. The insurance will also cover poisoning, fever discharge, appendicitis, surgery, broken leg, heart attack, stroke, uterine hemorrhage. It will also cover the cases if a tourist falls an eye, cuts an arm or a leg with a coral “, lists the expert in insurance claims.
According to her, 95% of travel agencies do not even ask tourists when booking a tour if they need insurance that covers sports injuries. Therefore, travelers should carefully read the insurance conditions and, in the case of plans for extreme vacations, buy a special policy.
As a reminder, we have informed you which treatment during the holidays will not be covered by insurance.
We also talked about how much a holiday in Egyptian resorts cost in late October.
