Vladimir Popov’s tragic encounter with a Shark in Egypt’s Hurghada

In a harrowing incident on June 8, 24-year-old Russian, Vladimir Popov, lost his life to a tiger shark while vacationing in Hurghada, Egypt. The dreadful attack unfolded in front of horrified onlookers at the Dream Beach area. Shedding light on the incident, Philip Sapozhnikov, a senior researcher at the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and a Candidate of Biological Sciences, shared insights with Russian media on the incident’s causes and ways to safeguard against underwater predators.

Sapozhnikov emphasized the shark-prone nature of the Red Sea, surrounding the Egyptian coast. However, he pointed out that the coast of Hurghada poses a comparatively lower threat due to active shark extermination by local fishermen, who supply predator meat to coastal restaurants.

As the summer vacation season kicks in, resorts, including those in Egypt, witness a surge in tourists. Various services vie for attention, offering activities such as diving and gastronomic excursions on ships. The expert highlighted a concerning trend of unconscious feeding of sharks during these excursions.

“Unlucky cooks cut meat and fish on the ship, and the remains – fins, intestines, blood, hooves – are thrown overboard,” Sapozhnikov explained. The lack of proper disposal practices contributes to the increased frequency of shark attacks, as these predatory fish are drawn to the scent of discarded remnants.

Another significant factor contributing to shark aggression is the routes of cattle ships crossing the Red Sea. These ships transport livestock, including sheep, cows, goats, and pigs. Sapozhnikov noted that due to adverse conditions like heat, poor diet, and lack of water, animals often die during the summer months, leading to their carcasses being discarded overboard.

The oceanologist pointed out that sharks actively follow these cattle ships, creating a trail of blood in their wake. This attracts sharks to coastal areas, where they begin searching for food. The tragic incident involving Vladimir Popov occurred under conditions favorable for shark ecology, exacerbated by the continuous violations of proper disposal practices.

In response to this unfortunate event, Sapozhnikov offered recommendations on protecting against shark encounters and what to do if confronted.

He advised avoiding swimming in muddy water near landfills, particularly those containing food waste. Staying close to the shore and minimizing surface splashing is crucial, as the sound attracts sharks, mistaking it for wounded prey. Sapozhnikov stressed the importance of not expressing fear, as sharks can detect the smell of fear emitted by all vertebrate creatures.

“If you saw a shark just grazing somewhere in space, swim away slowly and calmly. Don’t let the shark start circling around you. To attack, a shark must first aim, for this it just starts circling,” explained Sapozhnikov.

The tragic loss of Vladimir Popov underscores the need for heightened awareness and responsible practices to coexist safely with the diverse marine life in the Red Sea. As tourists flock to coastal destinations, it becomes imperative to prioritize responsible disposal methods and adopt precautionary measures outlined by experts like Sapozhnikov.