Officials in the Egyptian tourist destination of Sharm el-Sheikh have reopened beaches in the region following a spate of shark attacks.

A German visitor was killed on Sunday December 5th, with three Russian and one Ukrainian also hurt.

Following the attacks bathing was temporarily suspended last week.

However, new precautions are now in place in an attempt to ensure safety.

Watch stations, manned by divers, are to be set up to monitor the coast, while speed boats will continuously patrol the waters.

According to South Sinai governor Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shousha swimmers will also have to remain within designated areas and refrain from feeding sharks.

“We have allowed the beaches to reopen on condition hotel owners adhere to new controls to ensure the safety of foreign tourists while diving or swimming,” he added.

Tourism

The measures are designed to reassure foreign visitors that Egypt remains safe.

Tourism represents an important source of revenue for the country, with the sector accounting for approximately ten per cent of GDP.

However, fears were raised following the attacks earlier this month.

A 70-year-old German was the latest victim, fatally mauled just metres from the shore one day after the beaches were reopened last week.

The beaches had been closed following shark attacks that injured two Russian snorkellers on November 30th and another on December 1st.

The December 5th incident was the first fatal shark attack in Egypt since 2004, with an investigation ongoing.