“My son’s fate is tragic”: Russian father who died after shark attack meets Egyptian authorities 06/13/2023, 10:45

The 23-year-old Russian died on June 8 in Hurghada, Egypt. When Vladimir Popov swam 30 meters from the shore, he was attacked by a tiger shark. The boy cried for help, but the predator quickly tore him to pieces. The student’s father became an eyewitness to the terrible tragedy. Yuri Vladimirovich was on the shore.

Now the man is the only relative of the deceased who can comment. Vladimir’s mother lives in Balashikha near Moscow. When she heard about her son’s death, she started screaming loudly. Neighbors even considered calling the police until they heard about the incident.

Yuri Popov still cannot retrieve the body, which is in the morgue in Hurghada. A hospital spokesman said the shark tore open the Russian’s chest and swallowed parts of his stomach and arms. He indicated that the body will not be released to his family until the medical examiner completes all the steps necessary to investigate the incident.

A delegation of high Egyptian officials met in Hurghada with the father of the deceased. The deputy governor of the province, Mohammed Bandari, expressed his condolences. The authorities assured that they are ready to provide all necessary assistance to the relatives of Vladimir Popov. Bandari expressed hope that the accident that occurred would not affect Russian-Egyptian relations.

The deputy governor said experts checked the beaches to make sure there were no sharks. Representatives of the conservation service, nature reserves and other organizations surveyed the coast of the Red Sea from El Gouna in the north to the Makadi region in the south.

Yuri Popov thanked the officials for their attention and care during a difficult time for him. The man indicated that this was not the first time he had visited Hurghada. “My son’s fate is tragic. It was destined for him,” he said. Yuri Vladimirovich expressed the opinion that such a tragedy can happen anywhere.

Russian Consul General in Hurghada Viktor Voropayev, who was present at the meeting, agreed that it was an accident. He said similar incidents are happening in other coastal countries, Al Bawabh News reported.

Vladimir Popov met the girl for several years, but Anastasia was not with him at the time of the shark attack. “They write on social networks that he saved his girlfriend from a shark. But it wasn’t, his girlfriend wasn’t there. She is at home and everything is fine with her,” said Alena Morozová, a friend of the deceased.