Six young women drowned and 24 others were injured while partaking at a summer camp in Alexandria, after they were swept away by waves at the Abu-Talat Beach.
Authorities immediately declared a state of emergency, and the Public Prosecution office in Alexandria began a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Officials at Dar al-Diyafa al-Jaweya’s Summer Camp and trip supervisors were summoned for questioning.
Preliminary investigations revealed that all trip participants were from Sohag Governorate in Upper Egypt and had come to Alexandria for a summer camp, and headed to Abu-Talat Beach on Saturday morning as part of the camp’s entertainment program.
The trip supervisors said that as soon as they took to the sea, the waves suddenly went rough.
One supervisor said that “The camp had approximately 150 young women affiliated with Dar al-Diyafa al-Jaweya in Sohag. A group of them, approximately 37, went to Abu-Talat Beach to perform what resembled a morning assembly. Some of them disobeyed instructions and decided to take to the sea. Suddenly, a strong wave swept them all away.”
The Public Prosecution summoned the beach contractors, who stated that they had advised the girls and all beachgoers not to go swim due to poor weather conditions, and that they could enjoy themselves safely just on the beach.
The Central Administration for Tourism and Summer Resorts in Alexandria issued a warning to vacationers on the beaches of the Western and Agamy sectors, confirming a sudden disturbance in wave movement and height.
This necessitated raising red flags on all beaches in the Western and Agamy sectors, indicating a complete ban on entry into the sea.
The Ministry of Health dispatched 16 fully equipped ambulances to the accident site to ensure the rapid and efficient transport of the injured.
These efforts contributed to the treatment of three injured people at the scene and the transfer of 21 others to nearby hospitals, where they are receiving the necessary treatment in accordance with protocols for dealing with asphyxiation resulting from almost drowning.
