Tragedy in paradise: EU diplomat dies in Red Sea shark attack
Marsa Alam, a popular seaside resort on the Red Sea in Egypt known for its exceptional diving conditions, became the site of a tragic incident. On Sunday, Gianluca Di Gioia, a 48-year-old European Union diplomat who was on holiday there with his family, died while diving.
The dramatic event occurred just 55 yards from the pier near the Sataya hotel. Di Gioia, a travel and water sports enthusiast, had celebrated his birthday only a few days earlier. According to the German newspaper "Bild", he went diving in the morning with Peppino Frappani to explore the rich underwater world of the Red Sea. Unfortunately, the joyful trip ended in tragedy.
Information from the Italian newspaper "Il Messaggero" indicates that Frappani heroically tried to save Di Gioia, fending off a predator. However, he was also attacked and suffered severe injuries. The beach section where the incident occurred was closed for a few days on the orders of the Egyptian Ministry of Environment.
The same shark also victimised 69-year-old Peppino Frappani, who sustained serious injuries while trying to help his friend.
Who was Gianluca Di Gioia?
Gianluca Di Gioia was born in Rome. He had been working for the European Union's Diplomatic Service since 2012, where he was responsible for cooperation between energy regulatory bodies. His education in economics and commerce, combined with his passion for travel, made him a highly active figure both professionally and personally.
He lived in France with his wife, with whom he had been together since 2013. His social media profiles are filled with photos from numerous trips around the world.
The circumstances of the tragedy remain unclear, and the Egyptian prosecutor's office is investigating the case. Di Gioia's body was transported to a hospital in Port Ghalib.
