Egyptian authorities expect the recent shark attacks on swimmers will not scare tourists away from the Red Sea resorts, a spokesman for the country's ministry of tourism said on Friday.
One Ukrainian and three Russian tourists were mauled by sharks on Tuesday and Wednesday off the coast of Sharm el Sheikh, a popular diving destination.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism has temporarily closed all beaches in Sharm el-Sheikh.
"We hope the incidents will not affect the number of tourists arriving [in Egypt]," the spokesman said.
Two Russian women aged 70 and 48 and 54-old man lost their hands and received other injuries and are currently being treated in a Cairo hospital.
The spokesman also said an Egyptian delegation will visit Russia soon to discuss security measures at Red Sea resorts.
Two sharks suspected of the attacks were caught in the Red Sea on Thursday. Egyptian environmentalists are continuing their search off the Sharm el-Sheikh coast.
Director of Sinai Conservation Mohammed Salem said on Wednesday that the uncontrolled fishing in the popular diving areas had left sharks without food and forced them to attack people.
CAIRO, December 3 (RIA Novosti)
