Tragedy in Marsa Alam: EU diplomat killed in 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, died while diving there on vacation with his family.
The dramatic event occurred just 50 metres from the pier near the Sataya Hotel. Di Gioia, a travel and water sports enthusiast, had celebrated his birthday 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.
According to the Italian newspaper "Il Messaggero," Frappani heroically tried to save Di Gioia, fending off the predator. However, he himself was also attacked and sustained serious injuries. The section of the beach where the accident occurred was closed for several days by order of the Egyptian Ministry of Environment.
The same shark also victimized 69-year-old Peppino Frappani, who suffered serious injuries while trying to help his friend.
Who was Gianluca Di Gioia?
Gianluca Di Gioia was born in Rome. Since 2012, he had worked for the Diplomatic Service of the European Union, where he was responsible for cooperation between energy regulatory bodies. His education in economics and trade, alongside his passion for travel, made him an extremely active figure both professionally and privately.
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 matter. Di Gioia's body was transported to a hospital in Port Ghalib.
