Egypt’s Alexandria: 'Death beach’ re-claims lives of swimmers despite its closure

CAIRO - 11 July 2020: The phenomenon of drawing cases at Agami’s Al-Nakheel (Palm) beach in Alexandria re-occurred this year despite the closures of beaches and shores nationwide to curb the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Al-Nakheel beach is one of Egypt's most dangerous seashores in Alexandria and has been labeled as “the Death Beach” since 2018 when dozens of drawing cases were reported. At Friday dawn, eleven people, including a 14-year-old child, drowned.

The incident started when a group of three families with the child went secretly to the beach at dawn, escaping from guards as the beach had been closed upon the Prime Minister’s decision to prevent any possible gatherings that would help increase COVID-19 cases.

When the child was drawing, some of the swimming people tried to save him. However, ten people and the child drowned, said the Administration Center for Tourism and Summer Resorts in a statement on Friday. Six out of 11 bodies were recovered while the others are still missing, the statement added.  Two other people were rescued and are receiving treatment at  hospitals.

Head of the Al-Dekheila and Al-Amiriyah Prosecution office judge Mustafa Helmy ordered the closure of the beach to protect the lives of citizens and to implement the cabinet’s decision.

He also summoned the beach officials for interrogation  over the drawing cases .

“The Beach is one of the dangerous beaches due to the increasing incidences of drowning and the presence of water currents that cause drowning, especially for those who are not good at swimming,”  Alexandria governor Moahmed al-Sherif told Youm7.

He added that 2018 recorded the highest rate of drowning cases as 16 people drowned daily. The governor directed an increase of inspection patrols along the beach to prevent any possible gatherings or swimming.