A tourist has died after a shark attack near a popular resort in Egypt.
Gianluca Di Gioia, 48, of Rome, died after he was attacked by the tiger shark in the Red Sea on Sunday, Dec. 22, according to Italian news agency ANSA.
Di Gioia was visiting the resort with family to celebrate his birthday, which happened to be the day before on Saturday, Dec. 21, according to the report.
The man’s wife yelled for help as she witnessed the attack from shore, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported.
The Egyptian Ministry of the Environment said Di Gioia’s 69-year-old friend attempted to stop the attack, which took place “in deep water outside the bathing area” at the Marsa Alam resort, according to a translation from ANSA.
Meanwhile, the friend who attempted to save him sustained “superficial wounds,” according to Corriere della Sera.
Gianluca Di Gioia, the man who was killed in a shark attack off the coast of Egypt on Sunday, Dec. 22.
Gianluca Di Gioia/Facebook
Di Gioia was born in Italy but lived in France with his family, ANSA and Corriere della Serareported. He and his wife got married in 2013.
Additionally, he was an official with the European Union, ANSA reported. Di Gioia worked at the European External Action Service since 2012.
Di Gioia’s body is now in the mortuary of the Port Ghalib hospital, according to the reports. An investigation into his death is ongoing.
The Egyptian Ministry of the Environment said the area where the attack took place is closed until Wednesday, Jan. 1.
The Italian Embassy in Cairo is reportedly providing assistance to Di Gioia’s family in the wake of the man’s death.
